{
  "id": "2019-10-29-syracuse-university-public-safety-informational-notice-internet-blackmail-scam",
  "slug": "syracuse-university-public-safety-informational-notice-internet-blackmail-scam-2019-10-29",
  "institution": {
    "name": "Syracuse University",
    "shortName": "Syracuse",
    "state": "NY",
    "type": "private-r1",
    "alertSystemName": "Orange Alert / DPS Notice",
    "enrollment": 22000
  },
  "incident": {
    "date": "2019-10-29",
    "type": "scam",
    "cleryCategory": "timely-warning",
    "resolution": "under-investigation",
    "headline": "Internet blackmail scam public safety notice",
    "headlinePublic": "Internet blackmail scam public safety notice",
    "summary": "Syracuse University DPS [published a public safety notice](https://dps.syr.edu/2019/10/29/public-safety-informational-notice-internet-blackmail-scam/). Full text recovered from dps.syr.edu.",
    "outcome": "See official DPS notice for investigation status and safety guidance."
  },
  "alerts": [
    {
      "sequence": 1,
      "type": "initial",
      "timestampApprox": "DPS notice dated 2019-10-29",
      "channel": "email",
      "verbatimText": "The Department of Public Safety (DPS) is alerting students, faculty and staff about a blackmail scam - leveraging social media sites - making its way around university campuses. Here's what we know about the scam:\n\n- Victims have experienced this scam while engaging and corresponding with unknown individuals on social media sites.\n\n- The perpetrators of the scam request explicit photos from the victim.\n\n- The perpetrators then threaten to release the photos over social media sites if the victims do not provide money to keep them private.\n\nIf you have received this message or know someone who has received it, please call the DPS as soon as possible at 315.443.2224. If you would like to anonymously report NON-EMERGENCY information for DPS, you can use the Silent Witness tool.\n\nFraudulent scams happen every day; please take a moment to review these tips from the Federal Trade Commission on how to avoid fraud.\n\nThis public safety information is issued for your safety in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Act.",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://dps.syr.edu/2019/10/29/public-safety-informational-notice-internet-blackmail-scam/",
      "sourceDescription": "Syracuse University DPS public safety notice",
      "annotations": [
        "Verbatim from official dps.syr.edu public safety notice."
      ],
      "characterCount": 1018,
      "confidence": "high"
    }
  ],
  "context": "Official Syracuse University Department of Public Safety notice archive.",
  "keyFindings": [
    "Complete official DPS public safety notice text recovered."
  ],
  "sources": [
    {
      "title": "Internet blackmail scam public safety notice",
      "url": "https://dps.syr.edu/2019/10/29/public-safety-informational-notice-internet-blackmail-scam/",
      "type": "official-archive",
      "accessDate": "2026-07-26"
    }
  ],
  "confidence": "high",
  "tags": [
    "syracuse",
    "2019",
    "scam",
    "dps",
    "clery"
  ],
  "dateAdded": "2026-07-26",
  "lastUpdated": "2026-07-26",
  "addedBy": "ingestion"
}