By: Teressa Gehrke
NFBPWC Digital Training Chair, digitaltraining@nfbpwc.org 

Sextortion

Online sextortion is a form of blackmail where someone is threatening to share a nude, sexual image, or video of you to the public, like friends or family, unless you do what they demand. Typically, it is a financial demand or extortion to avoid sharing the images or videos publicly. 

Why is Online Sextortion important to know about? 

Sextortion is a crime because of the illegal act of threatening and blackmailing a person by threatening to release sexually explicit photos of that person. If the situation is ignored, your personal content may be published online or the blackmailer harasses and threatens you until their demands are met. These criminals are known to even reach out to loved ones to harass them as well.

Where are sextortion schemes common? 

Sextortion schemes occur online where young people feel most comfortable, such as social media platforms, most commonly on Instagram, Snapchat, and Wizz. It also occurs on gaming and dating sites, through sexting, video chat applications and forums, like Discord. 

Who is targeted by online sextortion? 

Predators and blackmailers create fake profiles and accounts to target minors. Unfortunately, more teens and minors are becoming victims to online sextortion. Adults, posing as peers online, target minors on messaging platforms befriending their target and gaining their trust. Then, the trust is manipulated and the victim is taken advantage of by them. High pressure and fear cause social, mental, psychological, and physical distress.

How can online sextortion be prevented? 

The best way to avoid online sextortion is to always be cautious and aware of who you are contacting, especially if it is with strangers. Sexually explicit content can be gathered by impersonation or by using malware to control a victim’s webcam, so it is important to also be aware of any links and attachments from sources you do not know and NEVER share sexually explicit images with others. If you are already threatened, it is important to:

• Resist the urge to engage with the blackmailer. 

• Never pay the ransom. There’s no guarantee that if you pay they won’t still release the sexually explicit content.

• Save all communications, including texts, emails or voice communications. This is evidence. Take screenshots. 

• Do not be afraid to get an adult, the police, or FBI involved. Ask for HELP!

• Remember, it’s not your fault. Somebody maliciously and intentionally attacked you online. It’s their fault!

Helpful Links:

• What is Sextortion? How to Prevent Online Blackmailing 

• FBI - Sextortion 

• What Can Happen If You Ignore Your Blackmailer 

• National Center for Missing & Exploited Children - Sextortion

• Sextortion case linked to 12-year-old's death 

For additional assistance or questions, please email: digitaltraining@nfbpwc.org.