Share

'Sexual content': DA's Van Damme unfazed by threatening email

DA MP Phumzile van Damme says she is not bothered by an email threatening to leak pictures and videos of her if she does not pay up. 

In the email, which she shared on Twitter, the extortionist threatens to share "photos and videos of your (Van Damme's) most passionate funs with adult content (sic)". 

The person demands that Van Damme transfer $829 to a Bitcoin cryptocurrency wallet and the account will be deleted.

Van Damme was given 48 hours to respond. 

"I'm not taking it seriously at all. I've asked the IT department to look at it but it seems to be something going on in South Africa," Van Damme told News24. 

Giggling, Van Damme told News24 she had nothing to worry about because she also did not have "that kind of content". 

ALSO READ: Gigaba on sex tape: 'My wife and I have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of'

"I get those emails all the time. I guess it's because my email is public. I just send them to my junk mail. I am not at all concerned, it seems to be a scam that is doing the rounds," she said. 

Van Damme tweeted on Thursday, after sharing the email: "The email scammers are trying hard shame. Unshaken. No Bitcoin transfer coming from me". 

In the email the scammer states that he/she is a spyware software developer and that Van Damme's account has been hacked in the "summer of 2018". 

The scammer claims to be aware of everything Van Damme does on her phone.

"I can see absolutely everything that you do, view and download your files and any data to yourself. I also have access to the camera on your device," the email reads. 

In addition, the person claims to know what Van Damme likes. 

"I know what you like hard funs (adult sites). Oh yes.. I'm know your secret life, which you are hiding from everyone (sic)." 

Van Damme said she received replies from people who received similar emails.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Do airplane mishaps have any effect on which airline you book your flights with?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
No, these things happen. I pick based on price
48% - 1102 votes
Yes, my safety matters. I don't take any chances
52% - 1182 votes
Vote
Rand - Dollar
19.19
+0.1%
Rand - Pound
23.97
-0.1%
Rand - Euro
20.57
-0.1%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.50
-0.1%
Rand - Yen
0.12
+0.3%
Platinum
912.90
+0.1%
Palladium
1,004.00
-0.1%
Gold
2,318.11
+0.1%
Silver
27.17
+0.0%
Brent-ruolie
88.02
-0.5%
Top 40
68,574
0.0%
All Share
74,514
0.0%
Resource 10
60,444
0.0%
Industrial 25
104,013
0.0%
Financial 15
15,837
0.0%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE