I was skimming through my mailbox, when I saw the message, the title read YOU HAVE BEEN GOTTEN. Gotten bawo, I clicked it open and started reading. It says that I was recorded while I was nude, the upper part of my body was gotten with my face showing clearly. I was given a week to send 1 BTC (bitcoin) else my video will be published on my social media with my friends and family tagged.

Scam, the first time I experienced that word was in 2013. I'd gone to Osogbo to see my grandma and I received a text from 'MH Bank', the text read that I had issues with my account and I had to click a link and fill my bank details to resolve it so my money won't go missing. I was disoriented and very distracted that day; first I had just gotten to Osogbo from Lagos and trying to locate my house, secondly, I actually complained about my bank's frivolous charges two days before. Minutes later I received an alert, N60,000 had been withdrawn from my account. I nearly fainted, I still don't know how I managed to get to my grandma's that day.

Since then, I have been extra careful, taking precautions in any kind of transaction and more online. But this, how's it possible? I continued reading...
Wondering how we go you? Hahaha
Your Webcam was recording you without your knowledge. Doubting? Click this link to see your beautiful body...
My hands were sweaty and shaking already, I clicked, Lo and behold, I saw myself in all nudity. I was in my room, I guess I was working on my system and it was connected to the internet. But I was astounded still, how did this happen? I remember my Webcam opened by itself up to five times and I kept on exiting sometime ago. It should be on one of those days.

I don't doubt that he has my social media accounts, I mean he could record me from my room, he can do anything. I was freaked out, a bitcoin is equivalent to $5,000 or more and there is no way I can afford that. Who do I talk to? Where do I go? Time is fast going and I had less than a week since I didn't send the money on time. I couldn't sleep or eat, my mom kept asking if I was OK, I snapped and nearly cried. Everyone left me alone.

I prayed and prayed about it, asked God for forgiveness if this is the punishment for my sins or for him to punish me any other way. My worry affected my health, I was using the toilet frequently and I developed temperature. I was literally dying. No one could help and I didn't want to see anyone.

I knew he'll continue blackmailing me if I yield, so I decided he could do whatever he want, this too shall pass. My Friend, Grace hadn't seen or heard from me in three days, my brother whom she inquired from about me told her I've been sick. She came visiting and I opened up to her. She said she has read about similar issues online, it's called different names; Webcam scam, sextortions, porn blackmail...its done by hackers to observe people in their privacy and to blackmail them. Some even end up turning their victims to their slaves.

She told me to tell him to go ahead, she advised I change my facebook privacy settings so no-one can post to my wall or tag me without my consent, and I should report the video on YouTube consistently. We both started reporting the video and I replied him saying I don't have any money to give to him. YouTube eventually brought down the video and gratefully, it didn't have up to 5views yet.
We waited for few days and he didn't respond to them mail. I was more than relieved and I covered my Webcam with a duct tape. No more 'webscams'.

By Mariam Haruna
Haroonmareeam3@gmail.com

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