Sextortion Scam - What is it and How to Protect Yourself

Warning Signs

• An online contact you don't know or a hacked account of a friend communicates with you in an unfamiliar way.
• The conversation moves very quickly to sexually explicit chat or requests for explicit images/videos.
• The person on the other end makes excuses for why their webcam isn't working, or sends a nude photo that they claim is of themselves to pressure you into doing the same.
• They use an urgent situation (e.g., "hacked account," "need money for an emergency") to pressure you into complying quickly.
• They might use personal details obtained from data breaches, like old passwords or even a picture of your house from Google Maps, to make their threats seem more real.

What to Do If Targeted

If you are a victim of a sextortion scam, remember it is not your fault, and help is available.

Report Fraud

• Do not pay or respond to demands. Paying rarely stops the threats; it often encourages scammers to ask for more money.
• Stop all communication with the blackmailer immediately and block them on all platforms.
• Preserve all evidence (messages, usernames, emails, timestamps, bank details) by taking screenshots. Do not delete your accounts, but you can deactivate them temporarily.
• Report the incident to the appropriate authorities:
  • Local Police: Contact your local law enforcement agency.
  • Federal Authorities: In the US, report to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) or contact your local FBI office.
  • For Minors: Contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) or use their Take It Down tool to remove images from participating sites.
  • For Adults: Use the Stop NCII (Non-Consensual Intimate Image Abuse) tool to help detect and remove images from being shared online across participating platforms.
• Secure your accounts by changing all your passwords and enabling two-factor authentication (2FA).
• Seek support from a trusted person, friend, or family member. Confidential support and helplines are available to help you cope with the emotional harm.