Sextortion Email Help

Sextortion consists of a cybercriminal leveraging their victim’s intimate content to coerce them into meeting specified demands. This can include requests for further content, sexual favors, or monetary payments.

Sextortion emails often claim to have infected the victim’s device with malware. They claim alleged program granted them access to features such as webcams. The perpetrator says they used this access to record the victim while they interacted with adult content online.

They may also claim to have accessed your saved media through similar means. Sometimes, the sextortionist leverages the victim’s activity on adult websites or dating apps alone. Regardless of what they claim, it’s important to handle the matter with extreme caution. The threats are likely bluffs, but you will want to conduct a proper investigation.

Anyone can be the recipient of a sextortion email. Scammers often gather large databases of emails from previous data breaches or dark web marketplaces. They send emails to a large pool hoping someone will bite. However, there are actions that can help limit the chances of being targeted in these schemes.

• Use Heightened Privacy Settings. Turn on spam filters to exclude sextortion and other scam messages before they reach your inbox. You should also update your passwords regularly and use two-factor authentication (2FA) when it’s offered.
• Avoid Oversharing. Take extreme caution if you decide to engage in sexting, even if it’s with someone you believe you can trust. Generative AI makes it possible to manufacture sextortion content, so avoid sharing content that could be used for explicit deepfakes.
• Monitor Your Footprint. Check public records to see if your personal information is readily available. You can also use websites like HaveIBeenPwned.com to see if your email has been leaked in a data breach.
• Listen to Your Intuition. If something feels off, it’s best to end the interaction. It might be inconsistent language, spiritic behavior, or some small nuance that you can’t quite pinpoint. Regardless, you should trust your gut.

The information provided herein is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Cyber Investigation is not a law firm and does not provide legal services or legal counsel. Accessing or using this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. This material should not be relied upon as a substitute for legal advice from a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction. For guidance specific to your situation, you are strongly encouraged to consult with your own legal counsel.

If you receive a sextortion email, you shouldn’t blame yourself. It’s never the victim’s fault, even if you did share content or visit adult websites. The sextortionist is the criminal here and there is help available. Recovery is achievable, and here’s how you can get there.

• Don’t Pay the Sextortionist. Remember that you are dealing with a criminal and there’s no reason to believe they will stop if you pay them. In fact, paying almost always results in further demands and increased threats.
• Gather Evidence. Take screenshots of the sextortionist’s email account, threatening messages, shared content, and timestamps. This evidence will be critical for reporting the crime and taking legal action.
• Notify the Proper Authorities. With the evidence you’ve gathered, report the sextortionists to hold them accountable. You should inform the email provider as well as law enforcement.

The information provided herein is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Cyber Investigation is not a law firm and does not provide legal services or legal counsel. Accessing or using this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. This material should not be relied upon as a substitute for legal advice from a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction. For guidance specific to your situation, you are strongly encouraged to consult with your own legal counsel.

You should report the sextortionist’s account to the service provider of the email platform where the crime occurred. This will help them to take action against the account that can protect you and others from future threats.

You should also inform law enforcement. To inform your local police, you can file a report in person by going to the station. Some precincts also allow victims to report crimes online or over the phone.

Furthermore, you should notify the FBI. They are the national agency responsible for investigating cybercrimes like sextortion. You can report to the FBI by visiting your local field office, calling 1-800-CALL-FBI, or online through the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).

There’s no way to tell for certain if a sextortionist will follow through on their threats. However, there are factors that can influence the chances of exposure. You’re standing and how you respond to the threat play a large role in the outcome.

Factors That May Lead a Sextortionist to Follow Through:

• Targets with high social status, net worth, and more to lose if their reputation is tarnished.
• Targets who have responded with either a willingness to comply or immediate confrontation.

Factors That May Deter a Sextortionist from Following Through:

• Loss of leverage by releasing the content they are trying to sextort you with
• Fear of getting caught either from their additional criminal behavior or the involvement of law enforcement and cybersecurity professionals.

We have years of experience and thousands of successful cases under our belt that have helped us develop our process. We know how sextortionists operate and how to attack their greatest strength — their anonymity.

We can follow the cybercriminal’s digital footprint and uncover their true identity. This information can be used to persuade the perpetrator to delete your content and abandon their scheme. Our reports can be used to support legal action, and we can provide ongoing monitorization after your case’s conclusion.