Being blackmailed can be one of the most unsettling experiences a person can experience. The feeling of vulnerability, the fear of repercussions, the anxiety of not knowing how to handle the situation are all emotions that can cloud your judgment and make it difficult to make decisions.
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed at moments like this, especially when there are so many options, but the right course of action isn’t clear. Stay calm and remember that you are not the only one going through this and there’s still hope. Here’s an overview of what your closest options are if you want to handle online blackmail.
Educational Resources for Blackmail Prevention
The best way to prevent you or your loved ones from becoming a victim of online blackmail, especially sextortion is to take advantage of the resources made available by different accredited organizations. Online blackmail is a real danger, and the scammers that conduct these targeted attacks often to not discriminate who they target. For them, it is about what will make them money.
Luckily, there are effective tools , strategies, and private/public organizations that are working diligently to educate the public on ways to properly secure their accounts. Some of these organizations provide free resources for blackmail prevention including:
- CISA: The U.S. Cyber & Infrastructure Security Agency provides several tips and guides for taking proactive steps to implement security measures to help eliminate potential threats.(1)
- MissingKids.org: This organization has several free resources for safe navigation and how to spot online harassment. Many more of their resources aim to protect young people from the dangers of the internet.(2)
Tips for Preventing Online Blackmail
By following simple safety practices, you can reduce the chances of becoming a target. Preventing online blackmail starts with being aware of the risks and being proactive about your safety.
- Strong Passwords: Use strong and different passwords for all your accounts. Avoid using weak, reused, or obvious passwords. A strong password has at least 12 characters, using a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.
- Avoid suspicious sites or links: Clicking unknown links is a common way to fall for online blackmail. Criminals disguise malicious links as legitimate ones. They trick you into sharing personal information or downloading harmful software. Avoid clicking on ads or links in unsolicited messages.
- Beware of catfish profiles: Catfishing is when someone leverages a fake online identity to attract and build trust with victims. Criminals prey on people’s vulnerabilities and use these profiles in extortion. Be cautious when interacting with someone you meet online, and find out how they feel about meeting in person or video chatting before you invest in the relationship.
Is Someone Blackmailing You with Sexual Content?
If you receive a message from someone who threatens to share your intimate content with others if you do not pay them. You’re a victim of sextortion, a form of online blackmail where the suspect uses intimate or explicit content as leverage to manipulate or control you. It’s important to understand that sextortion is illegal, and you’re entitled to take action and stop them.
If Someone is Blackmailing, You Need Handle This Now.
While each case of sextortion or online blackmail is unique, ignoring the problem is not a good strategy. These cases are financially motivated and depending on factors like the location of the blackmailer, platform the scam was conducted on, and the perceived wealth of the victim exposure by targeted leaks is a real threat.
But, even with the threat of exposure, YOU SHOULD NOT PAY YOUR BLACKMAILER. It does not make the problem go away but, more often, has the opposite effect. In a study previously conducted by Digital Forensics Corp. even when paid, there was a still a 42% chance of targeted exposure or full scale leaks of the victims sexual content.
It’s normal to feel confused and overwhelmed upon realizing you’re being blackmailed. It’s important to remember that you are not alone. Don’t let fear make the situation worse. The scammer may try to make you feel trapped or guilty, as if you don’t have a choice but to comply. Giving in to their demands will allow them to continue their abuse. The key in this situation is to stay calm to be able to take immediate and direct action.
If you want to handle online blackmail, take a step back and review the facts. How did this scammer get access to your content? Was there any type of manipulation or grooming before the contact happened? What have they demanded from you? How are they threatening you?
After realizing you’re being scammed, you might want to get rid of blackmailers straight away. Take your time before responding, and start collecting as much information as you can from your interactions with the person. It’s not advisable to block the scammer straightaway, as this could destroy valuable evidence that may be needed for an investigation. Instead, take screenshots and download any conversations, images, or other relevant material. If you decide to report the blackmail to the authorities or seek professional help, this evidence could be vital. Stay calm.
Resources To Stop Online Blackmail
Here’s an overview of the different resources available to victims who want help for online blackmail. With each we present why you should consider working with them and some of the drawbacks you’ll want to consider.
Law Enforcement
Contacting law enforcement is the first and most important step. Sextortion and online blackmail are crimes. Law enforcement agencies are trained to deal with these situations. Report the crime to local authorities or, if under 18, to the NCMEC. Working with police ensures the proper authorities can investigate, prosecute, and take action against your scammer.
Drawback: Jurisdictional issues and lack of resources can cause delays with different law enforcement agencies. If the blackmailer is in another country, local police may face challenges in coordinating an investigation advising that there is nothing they can do or that you’ll need to work with a different agency.
Cybersecurity Firms
Cybersecurity firms specialize in identifying and tracking cybercriminals and other online scammers in a process known as digital forensics. Inspecting how the blackmail occurred these professionals work to locate and identify the scammer who is threatening you to get the harassment to stop and provide insurance against potential leaks. Many of these firms provide specialized tools and software for stopping and preventing different types of cyber extortion.
Drawback: Cybersecurity professionals charge for their services. Depending on the complexity of the case and future security or reporting services, this can become expensive. But the investment provides a quicker, targeted solution for victims of sextortion and other types of online blackmail.
Attorneys
Attorneys that specialize in extortion can work with you to punish your blackmailer. They provide legal guidance and open up either criminal or civil suits to make your blackmailer pay for the damage they’ve done. They also can send cease & desist letters on your behalf as a preventative measure when you are threatened with exposure.
Drawback: Like with law enforcement professionals, attorneys are hindered by issues of jurisdiction. For a cease & desist letter or any lawsuits to be effective, you’ll need the identity of your blackmailer. They also charge hourly or retainer fees to work on your behalf.
Other Resources
If you are unable to stop your blackmailer from releasing your nudes, the best course of action may be for you to work with organizations that specialize in mitigating the damage caused by the leaking of your nudes.
StopNCII.org works in partnership with online platforms to remove harmful content before it can be distributed. This company works with platforms to take down content from the web and specialize in help for online blackmail, especially if this content hasn’t been leaked yet. While StopNCII is one of the best resources available, its services may not be able to fully prevent the exposure of the content.
In the face of online harassment, working with Digital Forensics Corp. can give you the tools and expertise to protect yourself and your reputation.
What we do: Our team uses the latest cybersecurity tools to track and identify the digital traces, including IP addresses and even financial records of your attackers. By understanding the origin of the threat, we take steps to ensure that the content being used to do you harm is removed and not redistributed. Digital Forensics Corporation can help ensure that your personal information and digital assets are safeguarded, and any attempts at blackmail are stopped. If you have additional questions, our team is available 24/7 to provide assistance via our Sextortion Helpline.
RESOURCES
DISCLAIMER: THIS POST IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSIDERED LEGAL ADVICE ON ANY SUBJECT MATTER. DIGITAL FORENSICS CORP. IS NOT A LAWFIRM AND DOES NOT PROVIDE LEGAL ADVICE OR SERVICES. By viewing posts, the reader understands there is no attorney-client relationship, the post should not be used as a substitute for legal advice from a licensed professional attorney, and readers are urged to consult their own legal counsel on any specific legal questions concerning a specific situation.
The information presented in this article is based on sources that are not readily available to the public and may be subject to restrictions or confidentiality. It is intended for informational purposes only.
