The Hopkinton Police Department is warning residents to be aware of attempted email scams after an influx of reports.

According to a post on the department’s Facebook page, the HPD has been investigating multiple reports of scammers trying to extort money from residents through email by claiming to have compromising information about them.

The emails use personal identifying information including the recipient’s name, address and phone number, along with a photograph of their residence. The scammer claims they have placed malware on the victim’s computer and has access to all their emails, contacts and social media accounts.

In exchange for deleting all the “dirt” they have on the victim, the scammer asks for payment in cryptocurrency.

The HPD, after investigating multiple reports of this scam activity, has determined that “no compromising information was obtained or released by the person soliciting the scam regardless of if a payment was made or not.”

The emails in each case are nearly identical, and photographs of the recipients’ homes are obtained from internet sources such as online maps and real estate websites.

The HPD claims reports of these scams have been occurring for several months, and it is actively investigating each case.

“We suggest that if anyone receives a similar email, report it to your local police department and DO NOT make any payments to the perpetrator,” the Facebook post notes.

The Hopkinton Police Department posted a copy of the email on its Facebook page so residents know what to look out for.