Sextortion myths raise concerns about what is real or fake in the online community. Worse, the misinformation these myths spawn can stop victims from getting help or reporting because of fear or embarrassment. It’s key for all digital users to be aware of the misconceptions surrounding this to safeguard their privacy and well-being.
At Digital Forensics Corps., we’re concerned about this misinformation and have taken the time to survey victims to find and bust the sextortion myths you need to stop believing
Myths About Who Becomes a Victim of Sextortion
Sextortion myths about who becomes a victim are stigmas that point to factors like a victim’s intelligence or sexual preferences. The truth is that sextortion is such a sophisticated crime that anyone can fall victim. Below are some of the most common myths concerning sextortion victims.
Myth: Sextortion only happens to people in the U.S.
False. The internet has no borders, and sextortionists don’t respect boundaries. A recent study by Google and the Australian Research Council determined that the USA, South Korea, Mexico, and Australia are at the top of countries where it’s most common locations of sextortion victims(1).
Myth: Sextortion only happens to older adults
Not all cases involve senior citizens. While it’s a fact that in 2023, scams targeting seniors represented twice the number of losses in the IC3 annual cyber crime report(2), the overall statistics include younger audiences as well.
Myth: Sextortion only affects adults
While the connection with sextortion and sexting makes this seem plausible, the truth is that other age groups are not exempted from being targeted. The fact is that an access to technology creates a natural gateway for any age group to become a target.
Myth: Sextortion does not affect minors
This is one of the sextortion myths that needs to be clarified all over the Internet. According to the 2023 IC3 report, the FBI received over 13,000 reports of sextortion of minors between the ages of 14 and 17. In fact, this is why the age group is considered a high risk target for sextortion(2) .
Myth: Sextortion only happens to men, and it doesn’t happen to women
While the data presented is only on cases reported to law enforcement, current findings by the FBI are showing a near 50/50 split in cases targeting men or woman(3).
Myth: Sextortion only happens to single people
False. While it is easier for scammers to target people who are single using different dating platforms, people in long standing relationships can also be sextorted when targeted through social media applications or webcam scams.
Myth: Sextortion only happens to cheating spouses
While a victims marital status does make it easier to blackmail them with the threat of exposure, there is no current data that showcases higher targeting of married victims. This myth likely originated from the blackmail letter scandal that occurred after the Ashley Madison data breach of 2015(4).
Myth: To become a victim of sextortion, you must be a pervert
False. The sexual nature of sextortion creates a natural stigma around victims and that they “sent the content willingly.” When in reality, scammers are well practiced at social engineering techniques that con victims into sending the intimate content against their better judgement.
Myths about how sextortion works
Many of the victims that we help here at Digital Forensics Corp. All say the same thing. “I thought I would know.” Sextortion scams and the criminals that conduct them don’t work the way most people assume. Let’s break down the biggest misconceptions for how sextortion scams work:
Myth: To become a victim, you must actively share personal information or explicit photos on dating platforms.
Sextortion is not limited to dating platforms. It occurs in other online spaces including social media apps and message boards like Reddit. Any platform where a scammer can create a catfish profile can be used to conduct a sextortion scam.
Myth: Sextortion is rare, and if it happens, it only happens to a small amount of people.
Since the change to a digital lifestyle back in the early 2010s, millions of sextortion cases have been reported to different government agencies across the globe. Cybercriminals target millions every year in large groups because they know not all of them will fall. In 2024, the FBI arrested four Delaware men for targeting thousands of victims across the U.S., U.K., and Canada in a massive sextortion scheme(4).
Myth: You should just block the scammer
While blocking the scammer sounds like a great way to stop the barrage of threats, doing so can complicate the situation. No, your sextortionist will not get a notification that you’ve blocked them. But, they’ll notice that you stop responding or that they can’t see your profile. This could lead to a leak of content and could be a loss of evidence if you do seek help from professional organizations. This is why we suggest that you do not block a sextortionist.
Myth: Paying the ransom will put an end to sextortion
If you received a payout from an investment, would you ignore that investment or give it more of your attention? This is the mindset of any cybercriminal. Paying only exacerbates the situation.
Myth: Seeking help will alert the perpetrator, making the situation worse for the victim.
There’s no need to be afraid. If you do not pay the blackmailer, it is less likely that they will follow through with their threats to release your content. That said, we don’t suggest messaging the blackmailer that you will not pay. Instead, delay the blackmailer while you seek help from law enforcement and other professionals that specialize in this cybercrime.
Myth: Local police can’t help with sextortion
Despite their limitations on acting quickly and the absence of clear legal guidelines regarding sextortion cases, police officials investigate and gather evidence to seek justice on your behalf. File a report with your local police and then get their advice on filing additional reports with any local government agencies that fight cybercrime. For US citizens this is the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
Don’t Let Fear Or Embarrassment Turn You Into A Scammer’s Payday
All of these sextortion misconceptions push victims to a lonely corner where they are unreachable for those trying to help. A collaborative effort between their close ones and professionals is the key to empowering victims and encouraging them to take action for their own well-being.
If you or someone you know is a victim of sextortion or any form of online abuse, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. Contact our Sextortion Helpline immediately for advice, support, and effective solutions to safeguard your online presence.
Resources
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0747563224001663#d1e3390
- https://www.ic3.gov/AnnualReport/Reports/2023_IC3ElderFraudReport.pdf
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashley_Madison_data_breach
- https://cyberscoop.com/sextortion-scam-charges-delaware-doj/
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.
