Sextortion Scam

How Sextortion Uses Shame To Create Silence

What this scam looks like

Common examples

• A dating contact threatens to share private images unless money is sent.
• A stranger claims they recorded a video call and demands payment.
• A social media account shows a contact list and says it will message everyone.
• A person asks for more images to prove trust or stop a threat.
• A message claims embarrassing material exists even when you are not sure it does.
• An impersonated friend account pressures someone into a private conversation.
• A person demands gift cards or payment app transfers and sets a short deadline.

How to verify safely

• Do not verify by sending more images, money, passwords, or codes.
• Tell a trusted person what is happening before responding again.
• Use the platform's official help, blocking, and reporting tools.
• Check whether the account is real through a separate channel if it claims to be someone you know.
• Save messages and profile details if you can do so without engaging further.
• For young people, involve a trusted adult who can help with platform and reporting options.
• Do not rely on the threatening person's promise that one payment will end the problem.

Warning signs

• Someone threatens to share private images, messages, or claims unless you pay or respond.
• The person demands money, gift cards, more images, or account access to keep quiet.
• You are told not to tell friends, family, a trusted adult, or platform support.
• The threat escalates quickly after a private chat, dating contact, or friend request.
• The person shows screenshots, contact lists, or personal details to make the threat feel immediate.
• They promise the problem will go away after one payment but continue pressuring you.

Questions to ask

• Am I being pressured to act because I feel ashamed or afraid?
• Can I reach a trusted person before responding again?
• Is the person asking for money, more images, passwords, or codes?
• Can I use the platform's official blocking and reporting tools?
• Would paying make the person stop, or could it invite more demands?

Safer next steps

• Pause and do not send more images, money, passwords, or codes.
• Do not argue with or confront the person threatening you.
• Save screenshots, usernames, messages, payment requests, and profile links if you can do so safely.
• Tell a trusted person as soon as possible, especially if you are a young person.
• Use the platform's official tools to block and report the account when appropriate.
• Contact the relevant bank, platform, employer, or agency through an official channel if money or accounts are involved.

What to do if you already clicked, paid, or shared information

• Stop sending money, images, passwords, codes, or additional personal details.
• Contact the relevant bank, platform, employer, or agency through an official channel.
• Use official platform tools to block, report, or review account safety options.
• If you paid, contact the payment app or bank through official support to ask about available options.
• Save messages, usernames, profile links, payment requests, and times for your records if you can do so safely.
• Tell a trusted person, trusted adult, counselor, or support organization so you are not isolated.
• Be cautious of anyone who later offers private recovery, removal, or hacking help for a fee.

How to report it

• Report the account and messages through the platform's official reporting tools.
• Report suspicious payment requests through the payment app or bank if money was involved.
• Use official reporting or safety channels in your region, especially if threats continue.
• Young people should involve a trusted adult who can help use official reporting options.
• Visit the site's /reporting page for general reporting and support reminders.

Common questions