Romance Scams
Sextortion Scam
Scammers threaten to release intimate images or videos unless you pay them, whether or not they actually have any such material.
Reported Losses
$178 million (FBI 2024)
Primary Targets
Young adults, teenagers, men on dating apps
Last Updated
2026-01-06
Also Known As
Blackmail Scam
How Scammers Contact You
How This Scam 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.
Red Flags to Watch For
- ⚠️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
📝 Real Victim Account
"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
How to Protect Yourself
- 1Never share intimate content with someone you don't know and trust
- 2Be suspicious if new matches push quickly for sexual content
- 3Use a webcam cover when not in use
- 4Keep devices and software updated
- 5Use unique passwords and a password manager
- 6Know that most "hacker" emails are bluffs sent to millions
- 7If you have intimate content online, it may already be compromised — focus on limiting damage
🆘 What to Do If You're a Victim
- 1Don't pay — payment often leads to more demands
- 2Stop communicating with the scammer
- 3Screenshot and save all evidence of the threats
- 4Report to the platform where you met them
- 5Report to FBI IC3 at ic3.gov
- 6Report to NCMEC if you're under 18 at CyberTipline.org
- 7Contact Take It Down (takeitdown.ncmec.org) to help remove images
- 8Talk to someone you trust — this is not your fault
- 9If under 18, tell a trusted adult immediately
🔗 Related Scams
📚 Sources & References
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