"Hello Pervert" Scam Targeted Me

I Was Terrified. Now I'm Going to Protect You.

May 22, 2025

I opened my inbox and saw this subject line:

“Hello Pervert.”

That’s how it started.

I’ve covered scams my entire career. I’ve interviewed the victims. I’ve chased the scammers. I’ve even gone undercover to expose them.

But nothing prepared me for this moment.

The email came from my actual email address. It looked like I was emailing myself — a tactic meant to prove they were inside my system.

They claimed they hacked into my laptop and installed malware. Usually, I’d never believe that, but again, this was from my own address. They said they recorded video of me “watching pornography in a compromising position” — using my own laptop camera. And they were going to send it to everyone in my contact list unless I paid them $1,450 in cryptocurrency within 48 hours.

Then they ramped things up again.

They included an old password of mine. One that was 100% accurate. It was a real old password. WTF!!!

That’s the moment my heart started racing.

If it can happen to me — someone who investigates this stuff for a living — it can happen to anyone.

I went straight to my cybersecurity expert (we all have one of those, right?) He told me this is part of a growing scam known as “sextortion.” They weren’t actually watching me. They didn’t have a video. The password? It came from a previous data breach involving a site or app I’d used long ago. The scammers bought my info on the dark web, including that password, my email address — everything they needed to terrify me. It worked.

Here’s what you need to know if this happens to you:

Don’t pay. That’s how they win.
Don’t click any links.
Change your passwords immediately.
Turn on two-factor authentication.
And most importantly: Report it to the FBI. Go to IC3.gov — that’s the Internet Crime Complaint Center. Every report helps them track and stop these scammers.

I never thought I’d be the one telling my story. But here we are. These scams are getting smarter — and scarier — and even the most prepared people can get hit.

I break it all down in my latest video.

CLICK HERE: it’s raw, personal, and embarrassing…but important.

Happening Now (Stuff You Should Know)

Cheapest Gas for Memorial Day Weekend: Here Are The Best Deals
Walmart Raising Prices on These Groceries: How To Stock Up & Save
Hidden “Phantom Power” Costs : How To Save Hundreds on Your Electric Bill
Costco’s New Payment Plan: Here’s the Catch

Fun Stuff

Best Summer Disney Deals: FREE Water Park Passes

On My Mind

You’re Fired… Now What?

Let’s be real: the idea of job security in 2025 is basically a meme.

One minute you’re “part of the family,” the next you’re locked out of your email with a generic exit packet. We’re living in a world where loyalty gets you a LinkedIn post and a severance check (if you’re lucky).

I have so many friends, unemployed right now, wishing they had a backup plan. They never expected the 9:00am HR calendar invite, “Catch Up.” That’s the kiss of death, by the way. So, beware the “catch up.”

That’s why I always say: one income stream is no longer enough. Relying on one company, one boss, in 2025? Nope. The people who survive — and thrive — in this economy are diversifying. They’ve got side hustles. They’re insulating themselves from chaos. And if you haven’t started yet, now’s the time.

So let’s count down my Top 5 Side Hustles of 2025 — with exact steps and tools, so you can actually do them.

5. Build and Sell Digital Products

This is the side hustle that makes money while you sleep.

Got knowledge? Turn it into a downloadable product — a checklist, a budget tracker, a fitness planner, a resume template — and sell it on repeat.

What to create: Think about what your friends always ask you for help with — can you turn that into a guide or template?
Where to sell: Etsy, Gumroad, or Stan Store.
Tools: Use Canva or Google Docs to design your digital product (even I can do it)
Pro tip: Bundle products together to increase your sale price.

4. Rent Out Your Stuff (Literally!)

You don’t need to do anything — just rent out things you already own.

Got an extra car? Try Turo.
Unused tools or camera gear? List them on Fat Llama.
Extra storage space? Neighbors will pay you on Neighbor.com to store their stuff.
Have old baby gear — stroller, crib, etc.? Rent it for money on BabyQuip.

This is passive income at its best. No skills required. Just upload photos, set a price, and get paid.

3. Flip Furniture for Profit

This one’s underrated — but insanely profitable. You can flip furniture and large items with just a few tools and a pickup truck (or a friend with one).

Where to find items: Curbside (people throw out good stuff all the time), Facebook Marketplace, estate sales, local auctions.
What to look for: Solid wood furniture, patio sets, tools, toys — anything in good condition.
Where to sell: Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, Craigslist.
Pro tip: Clean it, paint it, or just photograph it better. Price it right, and it moves fast.

2. Sell Your Skills on Freelance Platforms

Whatever you’re good at — writing, design, editing, social media, voiceovers, coding, hanging pictures, anything — someone out there needs help. And you don’t have to quit your job to do it.

Where to start: Create a profile on Upwork, Fiverr, or Contra. (I’ve had great luck on Upwork).
What to offer: Start with one clear service. “I’ll edit your podcast” is better than “multimedia specialist.”
Pro tip: Price your service low, nail your first few gigs, get reviews, and raise your rates fast.

1. Resell Thrift Store Finds (WATCH ME DO IT)

This is the most accessible and most profitable side hustle I’ve tested myself.

And it works — fast.

You can sell clothes, shoes, toys, books, electronics — anything in good condition.
Where to find inventory: Thrift stores, Goodwill, estate sales, garage sales, even your own attic.
Where to sell: eBay, Poshmark, Mercari.
Pro tip: Use Google Lens to instantly search resale prices while you’re in the store so you know what’s profitable.
I made $2,300 in 1 day from thrifting.

Want to see exactly how I did it? I documented the whole thing — the hunt, the haul, and the profit — in this video:

If you found these tips helpful, please forward the newsletter to a friend.

Talk soon,

Jeff