THOUSANDS of people are becoming victims to a terrifying email scam where cyber criminals claim they have hacked your webcam and filmed you watching porn.

In the sextortion emails, crooks email people out of the blue with their password as the subject line to trick them into believing that they have really hacked their accounts.

The so-called hackers then say they have used the password to get onto the computer, installed software and then recorded a video of you watching adult websites.

In a cruel twist they say they will send the footage to all your contacts unless you pay them money, usually thousands of pounds, through Bitcoin – a cryptocurrency.

But in fact, the passwords were probably leaked from an old data breach and emailers have no real footage or ability to send anything to friends on Facebook.

Last month 9,473 reports of the scam were made to Action Fraud and hundreds of people in the Thames Valley are expected to have been targeted.

At least 200 reports were made in the last week to the national agency, which in 2018 warned that the email was a sophisticated new hack to lure people into sending money.

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It is a mystery how much money has been sent from the area, or nationally – but the agency has warned victims to not feel pressured into paying anything or replying as it ‘only highlights that you are vulnerable and could be targeted again’.

The latest email flagged to the agency says: “It seems that XXX is your password.

“I require your complete attention for the upcoming 24 hours or I may make sure you live out guilt for the rest of your lifetime.

“Well the last time you went to see the porn material websites, my malware ended up being activated inside your computer which ended up documenting a beautiful footage of your self-pleasure by activating your cam. (you got an unquestionably weird taste by the way haha)

“I have the full recording. If, perhaps you think I’m playing around, simply reply proof and I will be forwarding the particular recording randomly to eight people you know.”

Thames Valley Police re-shared the scam warnings on social media yesterday and one resident said the email was likely to have be sent to way more people than had reported it, explaining to the police on Twitter: " I know of 3 people including myself. I hope no one was so intimidated that they paid!”

The police and crime commissioner Anthony Stansfeld said the numbers were impossible to gage but that police will 'rigorously' follow up reports of the 'distressing email'.

Detective Inspector Sally Russell, of the Digital Investigation and Intelligence unit, said: “Anyone can receive one of these emails and while spam filters may stop some, it’s important to be vigilant on any emails that you receive out of the blue. My team work closely with Action Fraud and the National Crime Agency to identify those responsible, remove their ability to send these emails and bring them to justice.

“If you receive an email that you believe to be suspicious, do not reply to the email or click on any links contained within it. Instead, forward it to: report@phishing.gov.uk and then delete it. Do not be tempted to make the Bitcoin payment. Doing so may encourage the criminal to contact you again for more money. If you have made a Bitcoin payment, then report it to Action Fraud.”