How Sextortion Happens
Sextortion typically follows one of two paths. In the first, scammers pose as attractive people on dating apps or social media, quickly moving to video calls or photo exchanges where they record intimate content. In the second, hackers access existing intimate photos through data breaches, cloud storage, or device compromise. In both cases, the criminal then threatens to send the material to your contacts, employer, or post it publicly unless you pay — usually in cryptocurrency or gift cards.
What to Do RIGHT NOW
Do not pay. Paying doesn't make them stop — it confirms you'll pay and leads to more demands. Do not delete the conversation — screenshot everything as evidence. Block the person on all platforms. Report to the FBI's IC3 (ic3.gov) and your local law enforcement. If you're under 18, contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) at CyberTipline.org. Contact the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative helpline (844-878-2274). Tighten your social media privacy settings immediately.
Why Paying Doesn't Work
In 95% of sextortion cases, paying leads to more demands, not silence. Once you pay, the criminal knows you're willing to send money. They'll claim the first payment didn't process, or they'll come back weeks later asking for more. In many cases, multiple criminals within the same operation will contact you separately. The only way to end the cycle is to stop paying, report, and block. Criminals almost never follow through on threats after being blocked and reported — they move on to easier targets.
Removing Content That Was Shared
If intimate content was actually posted, you have options. Most platforms (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Google) have dedicated processes for removing non-consensual intimate images. StopNCII.org creates a hash of your images that major platforms use to prevent re-uploading. The Cyber Civil Rights Initiative (cybercivilrights.org) provides free assistance. Many jurisdictions now have revenge porn laws that criminalize sharing intimate images without consent. You can also register with Verify to help identify the person behind the threats.
Protecting Yourself from Future Sextortion
Never share intimate images with someone you haven't met in person. Be cautious of video calls with strangers — they may be recording. Use strong, unique passwords for all accounts. Enable two-factor authentication on email, social media, and cloud storage. Be wary of people who escalate to intimate conversation unusually quickly on dating apps. If someone you're talking to seems too eager for explicit content early in the relationship, use Verify to check if they're known to others.