Police have sent a warning to Helston residents regarding email sextortion scams that threaten to publish videos of the receiver visiting adult websites unless a 'BitCoin ransom' is paid.

A spokesperson from Devon and Cornwall Police has said: "Convincing as they are, it is not even always the case that the victim has in fact been looking at adult websites."

The scam can include the receiver's passwords in the email, which makes them even more convincing.

Devon and Cornwall Police have given some advice on how to protect yourself:

• Don't reply to or click on any of the links in the email. Report the email to Action Fraud here (assuming that you have not parted with money or personal details).

• Don't make the Bitcoin payment. Doing so may encourage more scams as the fraudster will know they have a 'willing customer'.

• If you have made the Bitcoin payment, or otherwise parted with money, report it to [email protected] or here.

• If the email includes a password you still use, change it immediately. Also, consult this website to see what other of your online information may have been compromised by a data breach of a company or organisation that you have been dealing with.

You can find out more information on these scams here.