Extortion Scam using Bitcoin 
The San Marino Police Department would like to make our residents aware of an increase of a scam. The victims are receiving a letter from an unknown source, claiming to have evidence of a secret. The letter provides the recipient with two options. The first option is not to do anything and the secret will be revealed to family, friends, and relatives. The second option is to pay a pre-determined fee. If the recipient pays the fee, the secret will not be released. The sender of the letter then includes instructions on how to pay the fee using Bitcoin. The letters received are vague and lack any details regarding the secret.
The San Marino Police Department has worked with the United States Postal Inspectors, and determined these letters to be a scam and an attempt to extort money from the recipient.
If you receive a letter similar to this, please do not pay the fee. It is encouraged you report the incident to the San Marino Police Department.
Please see the attached news article for more information about this scam, https://goo.gl/P4uZ1a.
If you have any information or questions regarding these types of letters, please contact Detective Bestpitch at 626-300-0726 or [email protected].
Address/Location
City of San Marino Police Department
2200 Huntington Dr
San Marino, CA 91108
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 626-300-0720