Last Updated on July 7, 2023
Instagram is a popular social media platform with billions of active users worldwide. However, like any other social media platform, it is not immune to online privacy and security threats, including sextortion. Sextortion is a type of blackmail where an attacker threatens to share someone’s intimate photos or videos online unless they pay a ransom. Many people wonder if these online criminals follow through on their threats. In this blog post, we will examine how sextortion works on Instagram and whether sextortionists expose their victims.
Do Sextortionists Actually Expose You?
The question on everyone’s mind is, do these cybercriminals follow through? Naturally, victims are often scared to death and may even comply with the extortionist’s demands. However, not all sextortionists follow through with their threats. It can be tough to decipher why these criminals would expose their victims., usually coming down to these key things:
· If you paid the criminal, our experts advise against this. Paying the criminal can oftentimes exacerbate the situation and cause the criminal to sink their “financial hooks” inside the victims. Once they know they can get money from their victims, the cycle will continue until there is nothing left.
· If you blocked the criminal, this is another scenario we do not suggest. These types of criminals often have hundreds of Instagram accounts and plenty of other ways to get ahold of you. By blocking one account, they will start reaching out in different ways; they could reach out to family members, friends, and even your workplace.
· Lastly, if you reported the crime. Ultimately, the best course of action is to report the crime, which can lead to the most favorable outcomes and reduce these threats.
That it is essential never to underestimate the seriousness of their threats, as they can cause irreversible damage to one’s personal and professional life, even if they do not follow through on their threats, the trauma caused by sextortion is something that can have long-term effects on the victim’s mental and emotional state.
What Happens if You Do Not Pay Online Sextortionists?
Online sextortion is a serious issue that cannot be taken lightly. Our experts generally advise against paying online sextortionists, as it only encourages them to continue their activities. Furthermore, there is no guarantee that paying the ransom will make the sextortionist go away.
Additionally, it is also illegal to pay ransoms to sextortionists, and by doing so, you essentially involve yourself in illegal activities. By not paying, you take the first step towards regaining control of your life and protecting yourself against further threats.
How to Get Rid of a Sextortionist:
Getting rid of a sextortionist is difficult as they are good at hiding their identities and location. However, you can take some steps to protect yourself from future attacks.
1. Start off by gathering as much evidence as possible of the crime. Screenshots of the conversation or any threats made to you can be helpful, as well as any information regarding the scammer’s Instagram profile and profile URL.
2. Next, report the crime. Report directly through Instagram, local law enforcement, and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. A prompt report may help catch the criminal early on and decrease the chances of them offending again.
3. Additionally, take preventative measures to secure your online accounts. This includes regularly changing your passwords and enabling two-factor authentication, which provides an additional layer of security on top of your login credentials.
4. Lastly, do not be afraid to seek help and counseling from friends, family, or professional support services. It is important to remember that being a victim of sextortion is a severe crime, and you are not alone in dealing with its consequences.
Conclusion:
Sextortion is a severe online privacy and security threat that can cause long-term damage to one’s mental and emotional state. While some sextortionists do not follow through with their threats, others are willing to expose their victims. Therefore, it is vital to protect yourself from future attacks and report the incident to the authorities immediately if you become a victim. Remember to educate yourself and avoid suspicious profiles online to avoid being sextorted.
Are you still wondering, do sextortionists follow through on Instagram? Reach out to one of our agents today at Cyber Investigation. With our 24/7 sextortion helpline, you get the help you need anytime. Do not handle these dangerous criminals alone; contact us today!
Now you know Do Sextortionists Follow Through On Instagram its time to act and report sextortion