Last Updated on August 28, 2025

Nothing can truly prepare you for the moment you see your nudes shared online. The uncertainty of the exposure, wondering if friends, family, or coworkers have seen the content, can be overwhelming. The shock can trigger a flood of thoughts and emotions, leaving you unable to decide what to do next. Despite everything you may be experiencing, protecting yourself from further abuse is the top priority. Continue reading to learn everything you need to know to take action after non-consensual intimate image abuse.

How Nudes Get Leaked

The perpetrators can be anyone: friends, family members, partners, acquaintances — and of course, strangers. However, most victims of non-consensual intimate image (NCII) abuse know their offender. According to a report from the Revenge Porn Helpline, almost 60% of identifiable perpetrators in NCII abuse cases were current or former partners.

Many instances of victimization stem from sexting. After engaging in a sexually intimate relationship, partners or former partners may feel slighted by a conflict in the relationship and retaliate by sharing nudes. Another common way nudes are shared is through unauthorized access to your device or accounts, either in-person or via hacking.

What Happens If My Nudes Get Leaked?

Unfortunately, having your nudes posted online can affect many areas of your life — like your relationships, career, and reputation. The platform used to share the nudes plays a vital role in how it will impact you.

Social media is a common platform for NCII abuse. While most platforms have community guidelines against nudity for public posts, these rules do not apply to direct messages. Perpetrators can exploit this by sending NCII content directly to the victim’s followers or friends.

On Twitter/X, for example, sexually explicit posts do not necessarily go against community guidelines. This allows cybercriminals to publicly share NCII material with minimal pushback from the platform since it struggles to differentiate between consensually and non-consensually distributed content. There are, of course, sexually explicit websites where this content can be hosted as well. These websites are more difficult to work with, which can make removing the content challenging.

What to Do If Your Nudes Get Leaked

Whether you are panicking or frozen in shock, your feelings are valid and normal to have. It’s extremely common to panic in the midst of having your intimate images exposed. However, this can often lead to hasty decisions that are not the best for your situation. There are actions you can take to protect yourself and mitigate the damage from the leaked nudes. However, you will need to act with urgency.

Don’t Blame Yourself

Revenge porn is a crime and a complete betrayal of trust. However, it’s normal to feel guilty after being betrayed. Victims often blame themselves when their nudes are leaked. However, it is never their fault that someone else invaded their privacy. Many of these criminals use emotional manipulation and vulnerabilities to gain the trust of unsuspecting victims only to exploit that confidence.

Assess Where the Leak Came From

Before you can take steps to protect yourself, you need to identify where the leak came from. We’ve discussed the most common perpetrators of NCII abuse. Based on the content that was shared along with other contextual details, you can narrow down if this was a former partner, someone you know, or a stranger. Once you have a good idea of how it was shared, you can take the proper steps to protect yourself.

Get Your Nudes Removed

Many online platforms and search engines have built-in tools that help victims get NCII content removed. Social media platforms have a reporting system that allows users to notify the platform about content that violates their community standards. Search engines like Google also have a content removal form specifically for NCII abuse, which can remove offending links from Google Search results.

Update Your Privacy and Security Settings

The uncertainty around how your nudes were leaked highlights the importance of victims securing their accounts and devices and protecting themselves from further abuse. Making your online profiles private can help prevent strangers with harmful intentions from targeting you with a scheme.

You should also enable two-factor authentication wherever possible. This setting can prevent account takeovers — even if your login credentials are compromised. The cornerstone of online security is passwords. In the modern age, passwords need to be complex and unique to keep your information safe.

Preserve All Evidence

When it comes to what to do if someone posts your nudes, protecting yourself is important — and so is taking action against your offender. Whether the perpetrator is anonymous or not, preserving the evidence of NCII abuse is essential to holding them accountable. Be sure to take screenshots of any communication with the attacker and the profile that originally shared the images or videos. You can also look for any evidence of account breaches, including the date and time they occurred, to establish a possible timeline of events.

Report to Law Enforcement

Reporting the NCII abuse to the authorities is always recommended when asking what you should do if someone shares your nudes. The police can help you file an official report that includes your collected evidence and helps build a case against the cybercriminal responsible.

For anonymous perpetrators, some local police departments have cybercrime units that specialize in cases like NCII abuse and can investigate the incident to uncover the offender’s identity. The FBI also has the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), the national hub for reporting cybercrimes. Filing a report to the IC3 not only helps the FBI track trends, but they can also collaborate with international law enforcement agencies to pursue perpetrators — even if they are located outside of the U.S.

Use Victim Support Resources

There are many non-profits and online tools created to support victims and provide help on what to do if someone shares their nudes. Here are the main resources to look into:

• Cyber Civil Rights Initiative (CCRI): A non-profit that supports victims of NCII with legal guidance, a 24/7 hotline for emotional support, and educational resources.
• StopNCII.org: A global tool that allows victims to submit the content being posted without their consent and have it removed from certain social media platforms and websites.
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: A free and confidential service that focuses on domestic abuse but also supports victims of NCII. You can call, chat online, or text the hotline to get in contact with a live advocate.

Talk to Someone

Being a victim of NCII abuse can be devastating on many levels. There is a lot of distress, fear, anger, and anxiety that can come from being exposed. However, what can make things harder is facing all of it alone. Talking to someone during this experience can alleviate the overwhelming emotions you are feeling. It can also help calm your mind, allowing you to make informed decisions. This person can be a trusted friend, family member, therapist, or advocate at a non-profit.

Identify the Perpetrator with Digital Investigators

The criminals responsible for NCII abuse tend to hide behind anonymity. This protects them from being held accountable and allows them to operate in secrecy. However, cybersecurity experts can investigate anonymous incidents and trace the exposure back to its original source. Using digital forensics, they can trace the digital footprint to the culprit’s geolocation and, in some cases, identify the perpetrator. The findings from the digital investigation can be used as evidence in court proceedings against the offender.

What to Do When Nudes Leak? Call Cyber Investigation for Help

Cyber Investigation has a team of cybercrime experts that know exactly what to do if your nudes are leaked. Using state-of-the-art technology, we can follow the digital trail of NCII abuse to its original source through methods like metadata analysis and IP tracking, which can help uncover the criminal’s geolocation. From there, we can work to identify the perpetrator and use their exposed identity as leverage to pressure them into removing the NCII content and stopping any further abuse.

We also work quickly to remove any private content that was posted online without your consent and offer an ongoing monitoring service that tracks any further postings after the initial incident has been handled. At Cyber Investigation, we provide all of this and more to protect your online reputation and to mitigate any damage from exposure. You don’t have to experience this alone. Reach out today and let our experts help you through it.

Last Updated on August 27, 2025

Snapchat is among the most popular social media platforms, especially among young people. While sharing photos and videos with friends can be a lot of fun, certain risks are associated with using the app. One of the most dangerous is sextortion, where a scammer threatens to release compromising images or videos if the victim does not pay up. Keep reading to find out all you need to know on how to report sextortion on Snapchat.

Snapchat Safety Features

Before we dive into the specifics of reporting sextortion, it is imperative to understand some of the safety features already built into Snapchat. For example, the app allows users to block and report other users. This means that if someone is harassing you or sending you inappropriate content, you can take action to make sure they cannot contact you anymore. Snapchat also has a “Report a Safety Concern” feature, which allows users to report potential security or privacy issues to the app’s team.

Another great feature is Ghost Mode, which lets you keep your location hidden from possible scammers. Without Ghost Mode set, anyone can easily see your location by scrolling over the snap map. Another handy feature is 2-factor authentication, which adds an extra layer of security to protect your account from scammers. Overall, Snapchat offers a variety of benefits to enhance your user experience.

How to Track a Snapchat Scammer?

If a sextortion scammer on Snapchat has targeted you, you may wonder if there is any way to track them down and report them. Unfortunately, it can be challenging to do this, as many scammers use fake usernames, profiles, and locations to avoid detection. However, there are some steps you can take to try and identify the scammer.

1. First, screenshot any photos the scammer sent without notifying them. Use privacy tools like Private Screenshots or the screen recorder on your phone.
2. Once you have taken a screenshot, then you are going to run it through a reverse image search on Google. This can uncover other accounts the scammer may be using.
3. Next, you can check their location. Check the Snapchat map to see if the criminal has left their location sharing on. Scammers often operate from different countries, such as Nigeria, the Philippines, or Ivory Coast.
4. Finally, comb through their friends and followers on your other social media profiles. Scammers commonly follow their fake accounts with their real profiles to appear more legitimate.

By taking these additional steps, you can protect yourself from scammers and avoid falling prey to their tricks.

How to Report Sextortion on Snapchat?

If you are a victim of sextortion on Snapchat, it is vital that you report it immediately to protect yourself and others. The good news is that there are many steps you can take to do just that. First and foremost, report the incident directly to Snapchat by navigating to the “Support” section of the app and selecting “Report a Safety Concern.” Be sure to provide as much detail as possible, including relevant screenshots or other evidence. Rest assured that Snapchat takes these reports seriously and thoroughly investigates all incidents.

Furthermore, reporting the crime to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center is crucial. This will assist law enforcement in tracking down and prosecuting the person responsible. Finally, it is a good idea to report the crime to your local authorities and contact friends and family for additional support during this difficult time. Remember, speaking up can safeguard yourself and prevent others from becoming victims in the future.

Summary:

Sextortion is a serious issue, and it is something that everyone who uses Snapchat should be aware of. However, by taking the steps outlined in this post, you can protect yourself from scammers and report any incidents to Snapchat. Remember always to be cautious online and never give in to the demands of a sextortion scammer. By working together, we can make Snapchat a safer and more enjoyable place for everyone.

Cyber Investigation is here to help! If you or someone you know needs additional information on how to report incidents of sextortion on Snapchat, contact our sextortion helpline! Our expert team is dedicated to providing you with the necessary resources and guidance.

Last Updated on August 25, 2025

Victims of sextortion experience a flood of thoughts and emotions while reading the threats on their screen. One question that is universally asked is, “Should I block a sextortionist?” The answer is mixed among online responses. Search results often deliver a decisive “Yes”, but doing so can potentially leave you in ruin. Blocking serves as an immediate means of cutting them off, but it won’t remove their ability to expose you. Keep reading to learn if you should block a scammer.

Online advice often tells you to block a sextortionist immediately, but be careful with it

Should You Block a Sextortionist?

Our experts advise against blocking a sextortionist — at least right away. Many people think that blocking is an effective method for preventing further abuse. After all, blocking the perpetrator removes their access to your account.

However, this does not guarantee your attacker will not be able to reach you entirely. Blackmailers don’t always give up if you ignore them and may follow through on their threats. Furthermore, the negative ramifications of blocking can far outweigh any benefits of blocking.

Why Do So Many Results Suggest Blocking?

Many resources, especially AI-fueled responses, suggest blocking the sextortionist. This advice stems from the idea that a blackmailer can hurt you if they can’t reach you. Unfortunately, limiting a cybercriminal is not as simple as clicking block. What seems like a simple solution could actually expediate the scam. Where these suggestions and others based on them fall short, we are here to mend the gaps.

Potential Ramifications of Blocking

After asking yourself, “Should I block a sextortionist?”, the natural follow-up question is “Why shouldn’t I block a sextortionist?” Below are the reasons our analysts advise against it.

Loss of Evidence

If you block a scammer, you run the risk of permanently deleting critical evidence. As we will cover below, the entire interaction holds valuable evidence. You can use this data to identify the perpetrator and hold them accountable.

Blocking their account will delete the conversation and any evidence it contains. Even digital forensics professionals might be unable to retrieve this data.

Retaliation

Some suggest you block a sextortionist because they believe they will simply move on to a more willing victim. While this does happen, there are also cases with less appealing results. Cybercriminals are unpredictable and may act irrationally if they feel they are losing control. The perpetrator may have personal motives, such as a disgruntled former partner.

Some victims may read this and feel undeterred by the risk of exposure. However, it’s important to understand that risk does exist. You should consider the suggested path of stalling for time and seeking professional assistance.

Left in the Dark

This is arguably the worst consequence if you block a scammer. Blocking them leaves you completely unaware if they decide to follow through on their threats. The stress of not knowing can be as detrimental to your wellbeing as the fallout from potential exposure. Furthermore, it can elongate the exposure since you will be unable to respond if you don’t know it occurred.

Real-World Consequences of Blocking a Scammer

In one case shared to Reddit, an anonymous WhatsApp user was being targeted by a scammer on the platform. They expressed that the platform issued some warning after they selected the block option. However, they were not made aware the entire chat would be deleted. The user noted irony in WhatsApp support’s suggestion to report the instance to law enforcement after deleting the evidence.

Another user detailed an experience that included a barrage of spoofed texts and calls after blocking a scammer. These included messages designed to appear as if they came from a fellow victim of the scammer. The onslaught came just moments after blocking the scammer. These are just a couple examples of how blocking the perpetrator can worsen the victim’s situation.

What Do Our Experts Suggest Instead of Blocking?

We’ve told you that the answer to “Should I block a sextortionist?” is no. You are now probably wondering what you should do instead. Don’t worry, we have you covered. Our experts recommend you take the following response toward sextortionist, blackmailers, and other online scammers.

Use Delay Tactics

At this point, you understand that you should never pay a sextortionist. However, you want the sextortionist to believe that you are willing to cooperate. If the sextortionist believes they cannot get money out of you, they may release your content in retaliation. This is why our experts suggest using delay tactics. They allow you to maintain contact without divulging any further funds or information.

The key to a good delay tactic is to be creative, yet realistic. You will want enough details that it doesn’t sound like a lie off the top of your head. However, too many minute details can make your claim feel scripted. Some phrases you can use to buys yourself some time include:

• “I don’t get paid until Friday.”
• “I need time to gather funds/sell items.”
• “My account is frozen, and the bank said it could take a few days.”
• “I tried setting up a crypto wallet and it will take a few days to verify.”

Secure Your Network

Regardless of what information the blackmailer has, you’ll want to make sure your device and accounts haven’t been compromised. Check your network for any unusual or unauthorized behavior. You should also run a reputable malware scan on your devices.

Additionally, take time to increase the privacy settings on any online accounts that the perpetrator could access. You should regularly update all of your passwords and use strong, unique passwords for each account. Use two-factor authentication (2FA) whenever it’s available for an extra layer of protection.

Collect Evidence

You will need proof of the crime that has been committed against you. Take the time you’ve gained through delay tactics to record the details of the attack. You should store this evidence on a separate, secure device. Name the files in a way that allows you to easily identify what each piece of evidence represents.

You should document the following variables of the crime:

• The profile or contact information of the perpetrator.
• Any images, files, attachments, or other content that was shared.
• Any threatening or relevant messages.
• Timestamps of when these exchanges occurred.

This may pose issues to individuals handling the investigation on their own. There is often crucial evidence that is inaccessible to the average internet user. It can be a huge help to seek the services of professional cyber investigators.

Get The Help You Need

Cybersecurity experts can help you gather evidence hidden within the code of your online interactions. They use proprietary tools and technology to execute techniques like IP tracking and metadata analysis. This can uncover critical evidence such as the geolocation, device network, and identity of the criminal.

Furthermore, expert cyber investigators will ensure your evidence is properly collected, documented, and preserved. They follow a strict chain of custody to maintain the integrity of their report. Each step is documented so the findings of the report are admissible as evidence in legal proceedings.

At Cyber Investigation Inc., we base our advice on our experience handling these cases. We recommend that you avoid blocking the scammer if you plan to proceed with a professional investigation. If you plan to handle the case alone, we still suggest you collect evidence before blocking. It’s ultimately your decision, and you should act as you see fit.

Last Updated on August 19, 2025

It’s a quiet afternoon and you’re relaxing on your computer when you see an email you would never expect. It makes an unsettling claim: the sender has been secretly tracking your activity and recording you through your webcam. They allegedly have compromising footage and promise to expose it unless you pay $1,000 in Bitcoin. You’re startled and baffled, wondering what footage they could have. You consider responding, but you also ask yourself: Should I ignore a sextortion email?

Sextortion is a rapidly growing cybercrime that is a threat to people of all ages worldwide. Awareness of sextortion is becoming essential in the digital age, especially when it comes to sextortion emails.

What Are Sextortion Emails?

Phishing scams are most often associated with email, while social media scams are commonly linked to catfishing and sextortion. However, sextortion via email is becoming more common.  Criminals take a different approach to carrying out sextortion through email. Instead of luring victims into a fraudulent relationship, perpetrators will immediately issue threats, whether they have leverage or not.

The Pegasus Email Threat

Pegasus spyware is a tool sold only to governments and nation-states to aid cybersecurity surveillance. However, sextortion emails will claim the perpetrator has obtained Pegasus spyware and accessed the victim’s data for months. The perpetrator suggests that the victim was secretly recorded in an embarrassing act and uses that for extortion. This is all an effort to push the recipient into a panic.

However, it’s important to note that these claims are often complete fabrications. They send this email hoping that the claims match up to the circumstances of a victim’s real life. Sextortionists attempt to force the victim to see meeting the financial demands of the criminal as the only solution.

Making Fake Threats Seem Credible

Sextortionists don’t just rely on empty threats to induce panic. They will also use manipulative tactics to make their claims seem convincing. In some of the more personalized sextortion emails, criminals will research the home address associated with a victim and attach a Google Maps screenshot to the email. Others may include a password that was exposed in a past data breach linked to your email. These details are meant to trick you into believing that they have compromised your devices, even when they’re secure.

Using Malware

Sextortionists may use emails designed to coerce victims into compliance. However, the intention can also be to trick victims into giving the cybercriminal access to their sensitive data. Perpetrators often claim possession of incriminating footage and may include an attachment or link with the supposed “evidence.” But the attachment or link is actually just malware, waiting to be downloaded onto your device. When a victim clicks on the link or attachment, they put their actual sensitive data at risk of exposure.

Common Phrases Used in Sextortion Emails

Sextortionists will use similar scripts, sending the same email to large amounts of people. The most common variation is known as the “Hello Pervert” email because it typically opens with that greeting. From there, the email typically uses shaming language to claim that they possess incriminating footage of you. The effectiveness of these emails relies on the recipient’s lack of awareness of their tactics. To help you recognize them, we’ve compiled a list of phrases typically found in these emails.

• “I want to inform you about a very bad situation for you.”
• “Have you heard of Pegasus?”
• “It’s been a few months since I installed it on your devices.”
• “I’ve recorded many videos of you.”
• “Every number in your contact list will receive these videos of you.”
• “This message was sent from your own Microsoft account.”
• “You have a sick perversion.”
• “I doubt you’d want your friends, family, and co-workers to know about it.”
• “I can destroy your life in a second.”

Why Am I Being Targeted?

Gone are the days when someone actually needed your private information to extort you. Now, anyone can be a target for sextortion. If you’ve received one of these emails, it’s likely that your email appeared in a previous data breach. Scammers will use exposed email addresses in their mass spam campaigns to target victims. However, in some cases, a sextortion email could come from someone you know with more personal motives. You can verify if your email address has been exposed by visiting Have I Been Pwned.

Should I Ignore a Sextortion Email?

While sextortion emails may contain false claims, they still should not be ignored. You need to be proactive to protect your privacy and help put a stop to the sextortionist’s schemes. Many victims of sextortion emails feel compelled to immediately block the sender. However, this can worsen the situation if the claims are actually true. If you ignore a sextortion email and the threats are real, the attacker may expose explicit content in retaliation. The same is true if you block them. It’s important to verify the claims or threats before deciding what to do next.

How to Respond to Sextortion Emails

So, if you aren’t supposed to ignore a sextortion email, what should you do? How victims respond to sextortion emails is an important factor in what the outcome will be. It can also factor into whether the sextortionist will continue operating without consequence. There are best practices for victims to follow to protect themselves and maintain their peace of mind. Here are the best steps to take if you’re being targeted with a sextortion email.

• Do not click any links or attachments. Sextortionists will often include links or attachments that inject malware onto your device when opened. Then, they will gain access to your sensitive data and anything compromising.
• Verify the claims safely. Perpetrators typically allege to have recorded you performing explicit acts while watching adult content. However, it should be straightforward to verify the possible truth of these claims. Is any of the evidence provided? Does the email feel copied and pasted? You should also check your devices for any malware or unauthorized access.
• Preserve the evidence. Take screenshots of the email and the header details. Keep the original message in a safe location like a special folder or archive. Make sure to also take note of date, time, and any actions you subsequently took.
• Use delay tactics. In cases where the threats or demands are fabricated, it makes sense to ignore a sextortion email. However, any real threat needs to be handled strategically. You can use delay tactics to buy time before a deadline will need to be met. Make sure the excuses are believable, such as “I have to wait until I get my next paycheck” or “I have to get the money together.” Delay tactics are effective when you are also seeking out assistance from experts or law enforcement in the meantime.
• Report to the email provider. You can report the email to the provider to help them improve the filtering of spam. Providers may also block a particular email address, domain, or IP address if enough users report the sender.
• Notify the authorities. The local police are an essential resource for victims of sextortion. They can help you file a report, documenting the crime officially. The local authorities can also help you verify the validity of the threat. If a cybercrime unit is present, they may even launch an investigation into the criminal responsible for sending the email.
• Work with cybersecurity experts. Private cybersecurity firms can help you verify if a threat is credible immediately. They can also scan your devices for any malicious programs and help strengthen your security. Certain firms specialize in protecting victims of sextortion from exposure, even detecting and removing non-consensual postings off the internet. Many of these experts, like the ones at Cyber Investigation Inc., offer immediate support. This ensures that victims can get help at any time.

If you have received a sextortion email and aren’t sure what to do next, reach out to Cyber Investigation Inc. We have experts available 24/7 to provide professional support. Contact us today to speak with one of our specialists.

Last Updated on August 13, 2025

One of the most common responses to sextortion on Facebook is to simply ignore it. Victims will delete messages or block the sextortionist in hopes that the criminal was making empty threats. However, this is not the most effective way to respond to sextortion. In many cases, ignoring the perpetrators will only make the situation worse. We’ve created a resource that addresses three of the most common questions about responding to sextortion: Do sextortionists follow through? Can sextortion ruin your life? And should you ignore sextortion on Facebook?

Do Sextortionists Follow Through on Facebook?

A 2023 survey found that 42% of sextortionists do follow through, even if the victim pays. This may look like an alarming number. However, the likelihood of exposure depends on many key factors. Take note of the following determinants.

• Vulnerability of the victim. Celebrities, politicians, and high net worth individuals are often targeted by sextortionists. Perpetrators are also more likely to make good on their threats toward these individuals since they heavily value their reputation.
• Targeted attacks. If a sextortionist is targeting you, they have likely invested time to research you and your close connections. This increases the likelihood that they’ll directly share the compromising content with those people if their demands are not met.
• Likelihood of compliance. Entertaining the attacker’s demands in messages or sending them money is never a good idea. Compliance of any kind will only bolster the criminal to continue sending their threats.
• Type of incriminating content. Some scammers will use AI deepfake technology to create fake explicit content to threaten victims. They may also threaten to use compromising content that does not clearly show your face or other identifiable features. This content is not as incriminating and can reduce the risk of exposure.
• Impulsiveness of the sextortionist. There is no telling how likely an anonymous sextortionist is to make good on their threat. These criminals can be impulsive and unpredictable, releasing the content out of anger or vindictiveness.
• The victim’s response. How the victim responds to the sextortionist can increase or decrease the likelihood of exposure. There are best practices victims can follow to protect themselves in case they are targeted. When it comes to the question of should you ignore sextortion on Facebook or not, it’s important to be proactive and strategic in your response.

Can Sextortion on Facebook Ruin Your Life?

It is possible for sextortion to ruin your life, but that is not often the case. Even in cases of exposure, there are tools that can quickly remove the content from certain platforms. However, sextortionists do want their victims to believe that they can ruin their lives. That’s why they will make malicious threats against the victim’s reputation to induce panic. It’s important to be aware of possible ramifications while also knowing the scare tactics sextortionists use.

Career

Sextortionists are aiming to cause extreme emotional distress and they will often threaten your career to cause that. Using LinkedIn or other investigative methods, they will look for co-workers or supervisors to coerce you into compliance. Public-facing careers, such as teachers and police officers, are also more vulnerable to sextortion. These careers value reputations and how they can reflect on their institutions.

Financial Ruin

Victims should never pay a sextortionist. Not only does it communicate that you have the money to pay, but it also signals that you are susceptible to their threats. Unfortunately, many victims pay the sextortionist to maintain their online reputation, losing thousands of dollars. There have been cases where victims have exhausted their life savings to appease sextortionists, with the demands continuing indefinitely.

Personal Relationships

The main threat that sextortionists will make is toward the victim’s relationship with family, friends, and peers. They will research the target to discover the online accounts of their close connections, threatening to send the explicit content directly to them. On Facebook, they may even create a group chat with your friends for more leverage. In many cases, perpetrators will send explicit content to some followers or in group chats before moving onto another target.

Should You Ignore Sextortion on Facebook?

Many victims feel compelled to completely ignore threats of sextortion out of extreme anxiety. They often will block the sextortionist on Facebook. However, this can lead to devastating consequences. Sextortionists can notice when they are blocked and may publicly expose the explicit content in retaliation.

So, should you ignore sextortion on Facebook? While not responding to the sextortionist is a good step, not taking any further action is a common mistake. There are additional steps you should take to ensure the incident is reported and protect yourself — even if exposure occurs.

What Should You Do When Facing Sextortion on Facebook?

We’ve covered whether you should ignore sextortion on Facebook or not. Now, let’s walk through what you should do when facing sextortion. Follow these steps to protect yourself and respond to sextortion effectively.

• Keep communication open with the criminal. When considering should you ignore sextortion on Facebook, it’s best to leave the line of communication open. However, you shouldn’t engage any of their demands. Instead, our experts suggest using delay tactics to stall for time while you connect with the proper experts.
• Preserve all the evidence. You need evidence of the sextortion in order to report the crime to law enforcement. You can take screenshots of messages, the profiles involved, and anything else that is relevant.
• Report the user on Facebook. Sextortion goes against Facebook’s community standards. Users can report the user on the platform along with posts or messages. Make sure to report the perpetrator, as it can lead to account removal.
• Notify the authorities. Your evidence can be used to file a report with local law enforcement. The report will be officially documentation of the crime, which can support future legal actions. You should also report the crime to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). The FBI has federal jurisdiction and connections to law enforcement in other countries.
• Work with cybersecurity experts. Experts at private cybersecurity firms can work to protect the privacy of victims and mitigate the damage of any exposure. They also offer services to investigate and unmask the criminal responsible.
• Reach out for emotional support. Being a victim of sextortion is overwhelming to go through, especially on your own. It’s important to confide in a trusted friend, family member, or a counselor to alleviate some of the emotional burden of the incident.

Tulsa Victim Speaks Out: Should You Ignore Sextortion on Facebook?

In 2024, a woman named “Jane” received a text message from the hacker group that calls themselves “Anonymous”. The message demanded that she pay 1K Bitcoin within an hour or else they will post explicit images on her Facebook. There was also a file attached. Jane responded with “Whatever, you’re bluffing,” and clicked on the link. The link contained multiple images.

However, minutes later, the file appeared in the comments of her Facebook posts. Jane then deleted the comments and made her profile private. What Jane didn’t know is that clicking the link granted the hackers access to her device and any images on it. Jane decided to file a report with her local police department about the incident.

How to Protect Yourself on Facebook

Facebook provides multiple tools for users to prevent being targeted by sextortionists in the first place. You should also follow online safety practices to protect your privacy from scammers. Here is how you should protect yourself on Facebook.

• Lock down your account. Scammers will often scour the platform for possible targets. Make your account private to limit the exposure of your profile.
• Be cautious with friend requests. Catfishers will begin relationships with targets on Facebook with unsolicited friend requests and messages. You need to stay vigilant when accepting and responding to message requests.
• Adjust privacy settings. Facebook allows users to control who can message them or view their profile details, friends list, and posts.
• Avoid sharing intimate content. Sharing explicit content online is always a huge risk. Even though sexting is common, there is no telling what the person on the other end will do with the content. Even if you are messaging a significant other, a falling out can lead to sextortion years later.
• Strengthen security settings. Make sure your password is complex and two-factor authentication is enabled. You can also check if your password has been exposed by visiting Have I Been Pwned.