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● CRITICAL THREAT

Sextortion Scam

Someone claims to have intimate images of you and threatens to send them to your contacts unless you pay — often when they have nothing at all. Paying only proves you will pay again. This increasingly targets teenagers, and the move is the same: stop responding, save everything, and report it.

Losses: $178 million (FBI 2024)
Targets: Young adults, teenagers, men on dating apps
Updated: 2026-01-06
Also known as: Blackmail Scam · Webcam Blackmail · Intimate Image Extortion
01

How It Works

There are two main types: **Type 1: They have real images** 1. You match with someone attractive on a dating app 2. Conversation quickly becomes sexual 3. They ask for intimate photos/videos or engage in video chat 4. They screenshot or record without consent 5. They threaten to send to your family, employer, or post publicly 6. They demand payment to delete **Type 2: They're bluffing** You receive an email claiming: - "I've hacked your webcam and recorded you watching porn" - "I have your password" (shows an old, leaked password) - "Pay Bitcoin or I'll send video to your contacts" Usually a bluff — they're sending millions of these hoping some people pay.
How Scammers Make Contact
Dating appsSocial mediaEmailText
02

Warning Signs & Red Flags

  • New match quickly pushes for sexual content
  • Asks you to move to a different platform immediately
  • Email claims to have hacked your webcam (usually fake)
  • Message includes an old password (from data breaches)
  • Demands payment in crypto or gift cards
  • Deadline to pay or content gets released
  • Threatening messages continue even after payment
03

Real-World Example

"I matched with a girl on Tinder. Within an hour she wanted to video chat. When I did, she recorded me. Then she sent screenshots showing my Facebook profile and threatened to send the video to everyone I know unless I paid $500. I paid. Then she wanted $1,000 more. I realized she'd never stop."

— FBI Internet Crime Report
04

How to Protect Yourself

  • Never share intimate content with someone you don't know and trust
  • Be suspicious if new matches push quickly for sexual content
  • Use a webcam cover when not in use
  • Keep devices and software updated
  • Use unique passwords and a password manager
  • Know that most "hacker" emails are bluffs sent to millions
  • If you have intimate content online, it may already be compromised — focus on limiting damage
05

What To Do If You're a Victim

  1. 1Don't pay — payment often leads to more demands
  2. 2Stop communicating with the scammer
  3. 3Screenshot and save all evidence of the threats
  4. 4Report to the platform where you met them
  5. 5Report to FBI IC3 at ic3.gov
  6. 6Report to NCMEC if you're under 18 at CyberTipline.org
  7. 7Contact Take It Down (takeitdown.ncmec.org) to help remove images
  8. 8Talk to someone you trust — this is not your fault
  9. 9If under 18, tell a trusted adult immediately
Report This Scam
FTC Report Fraud FBI IC3 Identity Theft
?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sextortion Scam?

Someone claims to have intimate images of you and threatens to send them to your contacts unless you pay — often when they have nothing at all. Paying only proves you will pay again. This increasingly targets teenagers, and the move is the same: stop responding, save everything, and report it.

What are the warning signs of Sextortion Scam?

New match quickly pushes for sexual content. Asks you to move to a different platform immediately. Email claims to have hacked your webcam (usually fake). Message includes an old password (from data breaches). Demands payment in crypto or gift cards.

How do I protect myself from Sextortion Scam?

Never share intimate content with someone you don't know and trust. Be suspicious if new matches push quickly for sexual content. Use a webcam cover when not in use. Keep devices and software updated.

What should I do if I'm a victim of Sextortion Scam?

Don't pay — payment often leads to more demands. Stop communicating with the scammer. Screenshot and save all evidence of the threats. Report to the platform where you met them.

How serious is this threat?

We rate this critical — among the most damaging schemes we track. Reported losses: $178 million (FBI 2024). Most exposed: Young adults, teenagers, men on dating apps.

Can I get my money back?

Recovery depends on how you paid. Credit card payments may be reversed through chargebacks, while wire transfers and cryptocurrency are rarely recoverable. Report immediately to your bank and file complaints with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and the FBI IC3 at ic3.gov.

How do I report Sextortion Scam?

Report to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. For internet crimes, file with the FBI IC3 at ic3.gov. For identity theft, visit identitytheft.gov. You should also contact your local police and your bank.
Sources & References
  1. 01FBI: Sextortion
  2. 02NCMEC: Take It Down
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Romance Scam

A profile that is a little too perfect builds a relationship fast, then — always before you have met in person — an emergency arrives that only money can fix. The person may not exist; the photos are usually stolen. Affection is the lever, and the asks do not stop after the first one.

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