Dealing with Webcam Blackmail (Sextortion)
What is Webcam Blackmail (Sextortion)? Webcam blackmail, also known as sextortion, is when criminals use fake identities to befriend victims online and persuade them to perform sexual acts in front of their webcam or device camera. These acts are recorded, and the criminals then threaten to share the recordings online unless they receive payment. Professional criminal gangs target men and women of all ages, often focusing on those who can pay and have a lot to lose if the video is shared.
Remember: You're likely a victim of organized criminals. You're not alone, and confidential support is available. You can get through this.
If you receive an email claiming a video was taken of you via your webcam, it may be a phishing email. Check our Phishing Guide for more information.
Share Your Experience We want to understand the impact of this issue. Please fill out this Impact form to help us better protect future victims.
First Steps if Infected Here’s some advice from the National Crime Agency:
Report It: Contact your local police station. The police will take your case seriously, handle it confidentially, and will not judge you for being in this situation. If you are under 18, report this to the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or report the crime online at tips.fbi.gov. Also, inform your internet service provider and the platform where the call was recorded. They can help preserve evidence.
Cut Communications: Stop all contact with the criminals.
Don’t Pay: Many victims who pay end up facing more demands for money. Even after paying, offenders might still share the explicit videos. If you’ve already paid, check if the money has been collected. If it hasn’t, cancel the payment immediately.
Preserve Evidence: Take screenshots of all communications. Make a note of all details provided by the offenders, such as User ID name, Facebook URL, Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN), virtual currency payment details, any photos/videos sent, etc. Remember, the scammer's Username can different from their User ID, and the police will need the ID details. Right-click on their profile, select 'View Profile,' and look for the User ID number or tag. DO NOT DELETE ANY CORRESPONDENCE.
Block Content Sharing: If you have a copy of the content, you might be able to block it from being shared on some platforms. For example, stopNCII.org can help prevent images from being shared on partner platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and OnlyFans.
Approaches to Dealing with Webcam Blackmail
Work with the Police: Criminal gangs often perpetrate this crime, and the consequences of the video being shared can be severe. Follow the advice above and report it to the police, who have tried and tested methods for handling this type of crime.
Limit Criminal Contact on Social Media: Suspend your Facebook account (but don’t delete it) to preserve data for police evidence. Also, monitor linked accounts to prevent criminals from contacting you. Consider a similar approach for other social media platforms.
Get the Video Taken Down: If the video is online, report it to the website through their reporting process. They will remove it and set up alerts if it reappears.
Warn Connections: The criminals may threaten to share the video with your friends and family if you don’t pay. You might want to warn those close to you to prevent any nasty surprises. Some victims send a message to their contacts saying they've been hacked and advising them not to click on any content mentioning you.
Support the Victim: If the victim is a child, partner, or friend, offer support. Stay calm, reassure them that this has happened to others, and emphasize that they're dealing with professional criminals. If you are the victim, seek support from someone close or from specialist organizations.
Don’t Pay the Ransom: Our strong advice is not to pay. If you decide to pay, be very careful. Track the payment details and keep all evidence. If you have paid and are asked for more money or to do more in front of a webcam, contact the police immediately
Support our Blog
If our blog helped you resolve your cyber issue, we kindly ask you to consider making a "pay it forward" contribution. Your support enables us to continue providing updated cyber solutions for you and others.
