It started with a simple hello. A short flirtation with a seductive stranger quickly escalated into a series of intimate messages that felt thrilling at the time. But that fantasy soon devolved into a living nightmare. Now, you discover that the person you had confided in was using a persona and is threatening to leak your content. You reach out to a sextortion attorney, but they are unable to identify and formally pursue legal action. You may also find out the perpetrator lives halfway around the world and beyond the jurisdiction of your legal counsel.
What Prevents Most Attorneys from Prosecuting Sextortionists?
Sextortion is a type of cybercrime that presents two major obstacles to prosecution by law enforcement or attorneys. The first is the perpetrators’ anonymity, and the second is the location in which they commit the crime.
Anonymity
Of the two, anonymity is the more significant barrier. Cybercriminals hide behind VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) and fake profiles, making it difficult for the average internet user – or even a sextortion attorney – to discover their identity.
Four Ways Online Criminals Preserve Their Anonymity:
- Masked IP Addresses: Criminals often use VPNs and proxy servers to hide their true IP address, making it challenging to trace their location.
- Fake Accounts: Many perpetrators create accounts using free email services, allowing them to register with fake names, birthdays, and phone numbers.
- Cryptocurrency Payments: Cybercriminals often demand payment in crypto because it is difficult to trace and recover.
- Temporary Messaging Apps: Sextortionists often entice their targets to move their conversations to apps that allow unsecure and temporary messages.
By employing these strategies, sextortionists can effectively shield themselves from any legal repercussions that a sextortion attorney may pursue.
Jurisdiction
So, you’ve identified the perpetrator. One slight problem: they are attacking you from Nigeria, the Ivory Coast, the Philippines, or another known sextortion hotspot. Your attorney may lack international jurisdiction, and extradition may not be an option for the attacker.
Any legal protections or notices your lawyer could issue would likely be ineffective and may even provoke retaliation. If your sextortionist learns you can afford an attorney, they may escalate their demands.
What Services Will a Sextortion Attorney Offer You?
In cases where your assailant’s identity is unknown or they are located outside of the legal jurisdiction of the U.S. government, your attorney may offer you different services. While this may sound beneficial, these paid services may not be effective when dealing with international sextortion rings.
#1 Cease and Desist Letter
Your attorney may file a cease and desist letter to warn the sextortionist of potential legal action if their attack continues. This serves as an official notice and may scare off the perpetrator. However, it can often do more harm than good.
Sending a cease and desist letter is only effective if the identity of the perpetrator is known and they are in a country where the attorney has legal standing. As a result, the sextortionist might feel emboldened to ignore the letter. Worse yet, they may push the attack further upon learning you can afford legal services.
#2 Help Filing a Police Report
You should file a police report whether you have a sextortion attorney or not. However, it’s important to understand that local law enforcement face the same challenges of anonymity and jurisdictional limitations. These factors can significantly impact the effectiveness of their investigations and often result in a recommendation to file a report with the FBI.
While the FBI will accept the report, the agency receives an influx of reports daily and often prioritizes cases involving underage victims due to the risk of immediate harm. This may cause delays for adult victims of sextortion.
#3 Provide Emotional Support
Many legal professionals who claim to have sextortion expertise emphasize their ability to “provide emotional support” to clients. While emotional support is vital when navigating the trauma associated with sextortion, it is important to recognize that these services often come at a price. The legal industry can be costly, with the average attorney in the U.S. charging $327 an hour for their services.
Why Digital Forensics Is Different from a Sextortion Attorney
As you seek assistance, it’s essential to weigh the benefits of legal support against the potential costs involved. There are factors, as outlined in this article, that can limit sextortion attorneys from being able to deliver positive outcomes for their clients.
This is where Digital Forensics Corp.’s approach to sextortion stands apart. At DFC, we leverage the specialized skills of our engineers and analysts to help prevent the distribution of our client’s sensitive information. Our experts also work to stop any further threats and contact from the perpetrator.
We have the tools and experience to break through the cybercriminal’s anonymity. Using IP tracing, metadata analysis, and knowledge about sextortionist tactics, our team can identify the perpetrator’s geolocation and the device they used. You can use this critical information to contact a law enforcement agency with the jurisdiction to pursue the assailant.
Our Mission: Ending Sextortion and Restoring Peace of Mind
At DFC, our team of digital forensics engineers and experts is dedicated to confronting cybercriminals and disrupting their operations. We want to preserve your reputation and, in the process, also collect vital evidence to help you combat your attacker.
Once we have this vital information, our team acts on your behalf to obtain proof that the criminal has deleted all content used to extort you. This process aims to eliminate their ability to target you in the future.
When you choose DFC, you receive a service that extends beyond the resolution of your initial incident. Our ongoing monitoring provides continual protection for your personal data and public image, offering you lasting peace of mind.
If you or someone you love is facing sextortion, please contact our Sextortion Helpline for a free consultation and immediate assistance. We are available 24/7, and we can help.
