Consent & boundaries

Sextortion

Alsosexual extortionsexual blackmailnude blackmailsextorsion

Definition

Sextortion is blackmail that threatens to share intimate images or information unless the victim sends money, more images or does something else they do not want to do.

At a glance

  • Blackmail using intimate images or information.
  • Often run by organised criminals posing as attractive strangers online.
  • Teenagers and young men are frequently targeted.
  • General advice is not to pay, to stop responding, to keep evidence and to report.
  • Being targeted is never the victim's fault.

In detail

Sextortion is often run by organised criminals who pose as an attractive stranger online, persuade the target to share images, then immediately demand payment. Teenagers and young men are frequently targeted. Former partners may also use the threat to control someone.

Advice from child protection and law enforcement organisations is generally not to pay, to stop responding, to keep evidence and to report the account to the platform and to police. Being targeted is never the victim's fault, and support is available.

In a sentence

  • The police warned that sextortion scams often begin with a friendly message from a stranger.
  • He was the target of sextortion and was relieved to learn that reporting it was the right move.

Where the word comes from

A blend of "sex" and "extortion". It became widely used in news and law enforcement in the 2010s as online cases grew.

Common questions

Should I pay if someone threatens to share my images?

Child protection and law enforcement organisations generally advise not to pay, as paying often leads to more demands. Stop responding, keep evidence such as usernames and messages, and report the account to the platform and police.

What if the person targeted is under 18?

Tell a trusted adult and report it to the police and the platform. Specialist child protection services can help get images removed. The young person is not in trouble for being targeted.

Related terms

Sources

  1. NCMECSextortion