Police are urging people in Glastonbury and Street to be on their guard after a recent wave of phishing scams designed to blackmail local residents.

Victims have reported receiving emails that appear to come from their own email accounts, with scammers claiming to have hacked into their devices and obtained compromising personal videos or images.

The emails, written in a threatening tone, demand a ransom—usually in the cryptocurrency Litecoin—stating that the supposed footage will be sent to the victim's contacts if the money is not paid within 48 hours. Many recipients have been left shaken by the aggressive messages, even if they recognise it as a scam.

A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police said: "These types of scams are created to intimidate and cause panic, but it's important not to fall for them. Do not pay, do not respond, and report the email immediately. The threats are empty and designed to pressure victims into making rash decisions."

Residents are encouraged to forward any suspicious emails to [email protected] for review. Those who have already lost money or shared financial details are advised to contact their bank as soon as possible and report the incident to Action Fraud at www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.

Police figures show that more than 32 million suspicious emails have been reported to Action Fraud since May 2024, leading to the removal of over 329,000 malicious websites.

"This type of scam can be incredibly distressing," added the spokesperson. "We want to reassure residents that they are not alone and that support is available."