Navigating Discord Sextortion

Communication platforms exist across several niche markets with social media apps. Some apps focus on quick sharing methods like Snapchat, centralized communication for all devices with WhatsApp, or more niche markets like Discord, which serve gamers. Many of these apps have a large amount of minors as their user base which brings up the matter of child safety. 

Discord focuses on gaming and communication about games or using it as a platform to converse while gaming. Creating a Discord account is simple: You provide your name, a username, a phone number or email address, and a password. 

Users can then join channels of friends or popular gamers or create their own. These channels may or may not contain moderators who would be appointed by the channel’s owner.

According to Discord’s community guidelines, sexual content is allowed for users 18 years or older. Given that some channels or private communications are not monitored, and users can lie about their age, it leaves gaps that can be exploited. Younger people can be exposed to sexually explicit content on Discord.

What Is Discord Sextortion?

Sextortion is a form of sexual exploitation that could occur on a platform like Discord. An individual can use extortion tactics against a young person by engaging them in online sexual behavior such as sexting or sending sexual images or videos. 

The sextortionist will request material back from their victim while maintaining the idea that they’re interested in a relationship. A sextortionist will typically use a fake profile and pretend to be someone else.

Once the victim provides sexual material, the scammer will take screenshots and save the content, then begin their blackmail tactics. The scammer will threaten to release the images, videos, or text to their family or friends. In return for keeping the material to themselves, they request that the victim send money or perform more sexual acts.

How Do I Protect Myself From Discord Sextortion Scams?

While most scammers will not act on their threats, the effects of sextortion can be detrimental to someone’s mental health. The best ways to protect yourself from sextortion on a platform like Discord are to tighten your privacy settings, confirm you know the person you’re talking to, and not send sexual or sensitive content through Discord. Any conversation can be easily saved and shared, which makes young people susceptible to exploitation. 

The most important step to protect yourself is never to pay the ransom they request. Once a payment is made, the sextortionist will know that they can ask again and continue to harass their victim and fund further efforts to victimize others.

If you or a loved one has been a victim of sextortionists, you can contact the FBI or NCMEC (National Center for Missing or Exploited Children). At Digital Forensics, we can help any victim of sextortion take control of their situation. 

We have tools that local law enforcement does not. With our proprietary tools and team of social engineering experts, digital forensics engineers, and lawyers trained in cyber law, we can track digital footprints and secure your data.

Sources:

The Latest Discord Statistics & Trends for 2023 | Tech Report

Sexual Content Policy Explainer | Discord

Sextortion | FBI

Exploitation Resources | NCMEC