Last Updated on July 7, 2023
Being extorted online can be a scary experience. You may feel like you are powerless and that there is nothing you can do. But there are steps you can take to protect yourself and your information. This blog post will provide you with some tips on what to do if you are being extorted online.
Can a Victim of Sextortion Get in Trouble?
Sextortionists will try to manipulate their victims into thinking they committed a crime, especially if it involves a minor. Victims need to know that they are the only victims in this situation and they are not breaking any laws, their blackmailer is. The reasoning behind why victims send explicit content does not matter, the only thing that matters is that an adult coerced a minor into sending sexual content which is a federal crime!
The same thing goes for online sextortion involving adults. On top of threatening to expose a victim’s content online, sextortionists will also create a defamatory narrative that their victim has participated in illegal activities such as child pornography, rape, and other very damaging lies. This makes a victim even more frightened and forces them to keep the online blackmail a secret. If you have proof of the internet blackmail (harassing messages, threats of exposure, demand for money) you have nothing to worry about besides trying to bring this criminal behind bars.
Do Online Blackmailers Follow Through?
Blackmailers following through with their threats all depends on the type of blackmailer you are dealing with. These cybercriminals are quite unpredictable so there is no telling what their next move will be.
In short, yes blackmailers typically follow through, there are far more aggressive blackmailers out there that will not hesitate to expose their victims, however,there are also other blackmailers that are more frightened of the repercussions of their actions so they lie and act as though they are going to follow through with their threats, but have no real intentions of doing so.
What to do If You Are Getting Extorted?
- Do not ignore the person who is extorting you. This will only encourage them to continue their actions. Instead, stall them as long as you can until you find help.
- Change all of your online accounts to private, change your passwords and limit the amount of information you share about yourself.
- Do not pay the person who is extorting you. This will only encourage them to come back for more and never stop.
- Collect evidence of the extortion attempts. This will be helpful once you take legal action against the person who is extorting you.
- Contact law enforcement. They will be able to help you protect yourself and your information. You should also seek out help from blackmail experts (blackmail helpline) and blackmail attorneys.
- Seek counseling or therapy if you are struggling to cope with the situation. Being extorted can be a traumatic experience and it is important to get help if you are feeling overwhelmed.
Being a victim of sextortion can be a traumatic experience. But by taking some simple steps, you can protect yourself and your loved ones from further harm. Remember to contact law enforcement right away, gather any evidence you have, and change your passwords for all your online accounts. And most importantly, do not pay the extortionist—it will only make things worse. If you need some extra support, seek out a therapist who can help mentally guide you through this difficult time in your life.
Now you Know What to do If You Are Being Extorted Online. It’s time to act and get rid of blackmail today
We can help you with Blackmail On Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat etc. Report blackmail or Facebook Extortion to our sextortion helpline
