DO NOT PAY THEM
Paying will not make this stop. In almost every case, paying leads to more demands. The person threatening you is a criminal—they will take your money and ask for more. Or they'll release the content anyway.
Studies show: Over 80% of people who pay sextortionists are asked for more money. Many have their content released regardless.
What To Do Right Now
Follow these steps immediately—order matters
Stop All Communication
Do not respond to any more messages. Do not negotiate. Do not threaten back. Every response gives them more information and leverage. Block them after documenting (see step 2).
Screenshot Everything
Before blocking, screenshot all messages, the profile/account threatening you, any phone numbers or usernames, and any images they sent you as 'proof.' This evidence is critical for law enforcement.
Secure Your Accounts
Change passwords on all accounts. Enable two-factor authentication everywhere. Check if any accounts have been compromised. Review what personal info (employer, family, etc.) is visible on your social media.
Report to Law Enforcement
File a report with your local police AND the FBI's IC3 (ic3.gov). Sextortion is a federal crime. Even if you're embarrassed, reporting creates a record and helps catch these criminals.
Report to Platforms
Report the account to whatever platform they contacted you on (Instagram, Snapchat, WhatsApp, etc.). Also report to platforms where they threatened to post. Many have emergency NCII reporting.
Prepare for Potential Release
If content does get posted, you can get it removed. File with StopNCII.org now to create hashes that will auto-block your images on major platforms. This limits damage if they follow through.
Understanding What's Happening
How Sextortion Works
Sextortionists typically operate from overseas (often West Africa or Southeast Asia). They create fake profiles, build fake relationships, and collect intimate images or video chat recordings to use as leverage.
This is organized crime—they do this to dozens of people simultaneously. You are not special to them; you are a target in a business operation.
Why They Usually Don't Follow Through
Posting your content doesn't benefit them—it ends their leverage. Their goal is to scare you into paying, not to actually distribute.
Statistics show: Most sextortionists who don't receive payment move on to the next target. Releasing content wastes their time and increases their legal exposure.
What If They Actually Post My Content?
Even in the worst case, you have options. Content can be removed.
Platform Removal
All major platforms remove non-consensual intimate images quickly—often within 24-48 hours of reporting.
Search Engine Delisting
Google will remove NCII from search results. Even if a site doesn't comply, people can't find it by searching your name.
Legal Action
What they're doing is illegal. Law enforcement takes sextortion seriously, and civil suits can recover damages.
Questions You Might Have
Will they actually send it to my friends/family/employer?
Usually not. Their goal is money, not revenge. Distributing content ends their leverage, takes time, and increases their legal exposure. Most move on if payment isn't coming. However, use StopNCII.org now to pre-block content on major platforms, just in case.
What if I already paid them?
Stop paying now. More payments won't help—they'll just ask for more. Document everything and report to law enforcement. You may be able to get money back through your bank, especially if you paid via credit card.
I'm too embarrassed to go to the police
Law enforcement sees these cases constantly. They won't judge you—you're a victim of a crime. You can also report online to ic3.gov without going to a station. Anonymous reporting helps catch these criminals.
What if they have videos from a video chat?
Same rules apply. Don't pay, document everything, report to platforms and law enforcement. Video content can be removed just like images. Many 'video chat' scammers use pre-recorded footage, not live video.
Can they really find my contacts?
Sometimes, if you've shared your social media or they can see your followers/friends lists. But reaching out to everyone is time-consuming with little payoff for them. Still, consider warning close contacts that you may have been hacked and to ignore strange messages.
Should I tell anyone what's happening?
Consider telling someone you trust. The shame criminals rely on is their biggest weapon. Having support helps. If content does get sent to someone, they're more likely to be supportive if they understand the situation.