Wyoming Residents Targeted By New Internet Extortion Scheme

The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force is warning residents of an extortion scheme involving mailed Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) and a ransom note.

In the last 24 hours, law enforcement in Natrona County has received at least two reports of this scheme targeting residents, with additional reports made around the state of Wyoming.

The mailed letters contain several identical identifying factors:

● Mailed using a Canadian postal stamp (see pictures below).
● Claims you clicked a suspicious internet link that provided the hackers access.
● Alleges illegal images were planted on your devices.
● Uses threats of police involvement to scare you.
● Demands money within 36 hours.
● Includes a URL and QR code for Bitcoin, Coinbase, or Cash App payment.
● Mentions your family members by name.
● Arrives as a mailed letter to your home address.

We ask our citizens to share this information with their friends, neighbors, and family members.

ICAC agents are working diligently to investigate these reports, track the origin of the letters, and hold those responsible accountable. While these scammers may try to use scare tactics as leverage, any involvement with CSAM falls under serious criminal conduct. Protecting children and families from exploitation is the top priority of the ICAC Task Force.

“This scheme is not only about extortion, it weaponizes some of the most serious crimes imaginable,” said Natrona County Sheriff’s Office ICAC Task Force Officer Drew Cotton.

“Making a report to law enforcement ensures we can investigate quickly, protect potential victims, and hold offenders accountable.”

These reports remain under active investigation. If you or someone you know has received a letter in the mail matching the provided evidence photo, do not open it and instead report it immediately to your local law enforcement through dispatch or directly to the Casper DCI Office at (307) 261-2194. Additionally, do not contact the sender and do not send money.

NCSO Photo

DCI List of Missing Persons from Casper

All of the information below was obtained from the National Crime Information Center entries created by the entering law enforcement agencies. This page will only contain people who were reported missing in Wyoming to a Wyoming law enforcement agency.

Wyoming law enforcement agencies are working cooperatively on unsolved missing person cases located throughout the State of Wyoming. A brief summary of each missing person case is provided. Anyone with information regarding any of these cases is urged to contact the law enforcement agency of jurisdiction or the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation.

**To submit a tip on a missing person from Wyoming please visit wyomingdci.wyo.gov

Gallery Credit: Kolby Fedore, Townsquare Media

7 Common Types of Contraband Found in Prisons

Items that can pose a risk to the prison environment or threaten the security of the facility. This can include illegal items that can cause harm (e.g., drugs and weapons) or items that are prohibited within the secure area of the facility (e.g., cell phones). Individuals convicted in the federal system of providing or possessing contraband in prison are punished accordingly.

Source: United States Sentencing Commission, Special Edition: Quick Facts.

See more at www.ussc.gov.

Gallery Credit: Kolby Fedore, TSM

Source: Wyoming Families Warned About Frightening New Extortion Letters