A concerning trend has emerged around the rise of sextortion. While social media scams have been a focus for perpetrators, they are also using adult platforms to target victims. This is a particular issue because users on adult platforms are already primed for sexually explicit interactions and there is a general lack of oversight. Cam girl sextortion scams exemplify this troubling trend which continues to claim thousands of victims every day. Individuals must remain vigilant against cam girl scams to identify the criminals and the tactics used to manipulate their victims before it’s too late.
How Cam Girl Sextortion Scams Work
A cam girl is when a model livestreams explicit content on an adult platform. Viewers can typically participate in the live chat during a stream or pay a higher fee for a private session. Conversely, a cam girl sextortion scam is when a criminal poses as an already existing cam girl or boy, stealing content from their page to create a clone. Although, they may use AI deepfake technology to change the face in the stolen cam girl content. In less common cases, a sextortionist will work with live models to lure unsuspecting victims into a cam girl blackmail scam.
The Setup
Scammers will use stolen content to create their profile on adult platforms which includes the profile picture, live sessions, videos, and images. They use these profiles to invite victims to talk but unsuspecting victims may also request a private session. After making initial contact with the victim, the sextortionist will encourage the target to follow them on social media. This not only builds trust with the victim but it also gives the scammer access to their personal identity.
The Turn
Private sessions or direct messages are where the cam girl blackmail typically occurs. A cam girl encourages the victim to undress and perform explicit acts on camera, otherwise known as webcam blackmail. It’s common for scammers to keep their cameras off during a video chat. However, there are certain instances where a sextortionist will use a pre-recorded video or a live model in the private session to gain trust with the victim.
After the session ends, the scammer will drop their fake persona and reveal that they recorded the entire video chat. The sextortionist will threaten to expose the content publicly. However, if they have access to the victim’s personal information, they may threaten to send the recording directly to family, friends, or even an employer unless paid a certain amount of money.
Who Is Being Targeted and Why
Cam girl scams cater to a niche audience that is predominantly male. Viewers of cam girls tend to remain anonymous to protect their identities and sextortionists use this fear in their webcam blackmail scams. Here are the typical demographics of cam girl sextortion scams.
- Young men and teen boys. Often lured by curiosity or loneliness, young men are typically naïve to the cam girl scams that exist online. The younger generation also spends more of their time online.
- Professionals. In cam girl scams, cybercriminals will mine LinkedIn and other social media platforms to uncover the victim’s family, friends, and co-workers. They use the potential damage to a victim’s reputation to build fear-based manipulation.
- Married individuals. Victims with a spouse will be afraid of the damage that can be done to their relationship. This makes them less likely to report the sextortion and more likely to comply with the perpetrator’s demands.
Signs You’re Being Targeted in a Cam Girl Sextortion Scam
It can be difficult to identify cam girl scams. There is typical red flag behavior that is common practice on adult platforms. However, there are always warning signs to look out for that an interaction isn’t authentic, starting with a rapid escalation of intimacy.
Rapid escalation of intimacy. After initial contact, the cam girl will request a video chat almost immediately. They will typically use overly flirtatious and pushy language to pressure the victim for sexual engagement.
Requests for personal information. Scammers will seek out your personal information to gain more leverage over you after the cam girl blackmail begins. They may fish for your social media profiles, real name, employer, or college.
The video is out of sync. Videos used by blackmailers are likely pre-recorded and can be tested for any live responses. However, some scammers will work with live models to gain your trust.
They have an excuse to stay off camera in a private session. Cam girls in private sessions or messages are not a stranger to being on camera. Alternatively, a scammer may create an excuse to keep their camera off.
Pressure to turn your camera on. Constant requests or demands for you to turn your camera on is a glaring red flag that should be considered.
Directing the conversation off the platform. Scammers will often offer to take the conversation off the cam girl platform and onto encrypted messaging apps.
Threatening messages after the chat. The telltale sign that you are dealing with a scammer is if they begin threatening you after a video chat. They may use screenshots, recordings, aggressive language, and ultimatums.
What To Do If You’re a Victim of Cam Girl Sextortion
In a cam girl blackmail scam, it’s important to remember that the person you have interacted with is not the same person behind the screen. The real person is a cybercriminal that is only interested in your money. Once you understand who you are dealing with, you will have a better understanding of how to deal with a cam girl scam after the fact.
Do Not Pay
Complying with a blackmailer in a cam girl scam only encourages them to make more demands. The unfortunate reality is that the threats will only become more aggressive and relentless since they now know that you have the means and motivation to meet their demands. It’s always best to avoid paying the scammer, no matter what.
Collect and Preserve Evidence
Before you delete any messages, shared media, or accounts used during the cam girl scam, make sure to preserve the evidence. Take screenshots of chats, links, media, usernames, any threats made, and payment requests. All evidence is important when it comes to launching an investigation or taking legal action against the perpetrator of the cam girl scam.
Report the Incident
Local law enforcement is a valuable resource for victims of cam girl blackmail. They can help you file a report about the cam girl sextortion and may launch an investigation into the crime if they have the resources. You should also report the sextortion to FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), the national central hub for cybercrimes.
Report to Platform Authorities
Many adult platforms have reduced oversight and low content moderation, allowing sextortion without consequences. However, platforms like OnlyFans have partnered with StopNCII.org to remove non-consensual intimate content from their platform which is a step in the right direction(1).
In terms of social media, many scammers will threaten to expose the victim on different platforms. Fortunately, various networks have strict guidelines against social media scams and sextortion. Many platforms even provide sextortion scam help, offering reporting tools and educational resources about the crime.
Contact Digital Forensics Corp.
Our team of cybersecurity experts specializes in understanding sextortion scams and helping victims protect their privacy. Using forensic analysis, we can trace the scammer’s digital footprint, unmasking their real identity. We also can present our digital investigation as evidence that can be used by victims when taking legal action. Most importantly, collaborating with Digital Forensic Corp. means joining forces with professionals who will work relentlessly to prevent any exposure of your private content.
How to Protect Yourself from Future Sextortion Attacks
In the digital era, internet users need to be aware of the scams used today and how they continue to evolve. It may not always be apparent what is and isn’t a scam. However, there are best practices to protect yourself online from any malicious actor. Using safe online practices not only provides sextortion scam help but it also protects you from various types of cyberthreats like webcam blackmail and social media scams.
Practice Digital Caution
You can never know what a stranger’s intentions are which is why you need to minimize the risk of online interactions. As a best practice, you should never engage in an explicit video chat with a stranger or send explicit content in a message.
Limit Personal Info Online
Sophisticated scammers will investigate a target’s digital footprint including social media and public records. It’s important to limit the personal information available online and use strict privacy settings on social media platforms to limit unwanted interactions.
Recognize the Red Flags
Whether it’s a social media sextortion or webcam blackmail, you must remain vigilant online to protect yourself from cybercriminals. Scammers tend to use similar behavior across platforms. There will be a sense of urgency in direct messages for sexual activity and generic looking profiles pictures that look inauthentic. You can use Google’s reverse image search tool to review the images on their profile. If something feels wrong, it is best to trust your instincts and walk away.
You’re Not Alone and You Can Recover
Falling victim to cam girl blackmail can bring on feelings of shame and fear that causes victims to avoid confiding or reporting their sextortion to others. No matter how you feel, it’s important to remember that are not alone. Thousands of people have experienced cam girl sextortion and the emotional distress that comes with it. Scammers are becoming more sophisticated and using evolved methods like webcam blackmail to target even extremely careful victims.
At Digital Forensic Corp., we believe that no one deserves to be blackmailed. It’s our our top priority to protect victims of sextortion and simultaneously we use our expertise to track down the cybercriminals responsible. If you need confidential and expert sextortion scam help, contact Digital Forensic Corp. today.
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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.
