How to Deal with Instagram Sextortion?

Sextortion has been proven to appear on all forms of social media, especially Instagram. This type of cybercrime has gained popularity because it consists of a blackmailer disguising themselves on social media. The blackmailer then coerces victims into sending explicit content and then demands money to keep them quiet. If this is happening to you and you need help on how to deal with Instagram sextortion, keep reading.

Can Instagram Sextortion Happen to Adults?

Instagram sextortion can happen to anyone. Age does not have any influence on whether or not these cybercriminals pursue a victim. To better understand these criminals and how they work, it’s helpful to know how their scam is carried out. These criminals create dozens of fake Instagram accounts disguised as attractive individuals whether that be teens, young adults, or adults. They don’t necessarily target anyone in particular, but rather tap into all age groups.

What they do is start adding hundreds of random accounts and send out messages introducing themselves. Once they receive a response, the scheme starts. They will be very friendly and flirty until they slowly bring down their victims’ walls. Then they will introduce the idea of exchanging content. Once the bait is taken, that is when they show their true colors and send a whirlwind of threats if their demands are not met.

Is Instagram Sextortion a Crime?

Yes! Online Sextortion is considered a crime in many countries around the world, including most states in the United States. In general, those who engage in sextortion can be charged with extortion and blackmail, both of which carry stiff penalties including hefty fines and jail time depending on the jurisdiction and severity of the offense. Even if you do not actually follow through on your threats, you can still be prosecuted for making them in many cases.

How To Deal with Instagram Sextortion?

The most effective way to deal with Instagram sextortion is to take action as soon as it happens. Understandably most victims either give in to the demands of their blackmailer out of fear or to end the harassment. Or, they try to keep their situation a secret because they are either too embarrassed or ashamed that it is happening. It’s critical for victims to understand that doing either of these things is almost guaranteed to make the situation far more difficult than it already is. Sextortion is challenging to deal with alone but keeping your blackmail secret and trying to pay your blackmailer off is not the smartest thing to do. Here are some tips we recommend victims implement once they are faced with Instagram sextortion. · Lock down your Instagram account by making it private and enabling strong privacy settings. · Report the sextortionists Instagram account, as well as their harassing messages and or posts. ·

DO NOT pay your sextortionists no matter the amount of money they are asking for. · Stall your blackmailer for as long as you can until you seek help. · Let a loved one know what is happening so you can get the support you need to fight back. · Document the abuse to the best of your ability. Screenshot texts, posts, calls, profiles, emails, etc. · Make a report to the authorities and the FBI. If you are a minor, please make a report to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Conclusions Instagram sextortion can be an incredibly traumatic experience for anyone who has been targeted. The first thing you can do if you are facing this situation is to act quickly by documenting any threatening messages they sent.

Then, contact law enforcement right away, and stay vigilant about your privacy settings on social media platforms like Instagram going forward. If the public learns how to deal with Instagram sextortion or sextortion in general, we can work together to stop this type of abuse and put an end to it once and for all! Report Sextortion On Instagram To Our Sextortion Helpline We can handle any type of sextortion: Facebook Sextortion, Snapchat Sextortion etc.