At Digital Forensics Corp., we are committed to shining a light on different trends in cybercrime in the hopes that education will help others recognize and avoid these traps set by scammers. Through awareness, we can create a safer world for our children and communities.
To help raise awareness of the trends shaping the field of sextortion, Digital Forensics Corp. is proud to release its 2025 Sextortion Report, a study of sextortion statistics based on data compiled from nearly 1,000 active sextortion cases sourced throughout December 2024 and January 2025.
We recently launched the study of sextortion cases to showcase how the crime happens and what the impact is.
No cases involving those under the age of 18 were included in the study. If you’d like to learn more about how sextortion affects children, we suggest reviewing some of the content produced by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC).
Learn about some of the key factors and trends revealed by the sextortion study, what these statistics reveal about the nature of sextortion, and how it targets communities.
Age Is Not As Much Of A Factor As Previously Theorized
Surprisingly, the sextortion statistics revealed that age is not as much of a factor as commonly believed when it comes to active cases. Victims under 40 made up just under 60% of cases, while those over 40 made up 40%. These statistics contradict the commonly held belief that sextortion only targets those in the 18 to 24 age range.
As revealed by the statistics in the study, sextortion doesn’t discriminate. Scammers target people of all ages, backgrounds, and digital habits.
Young people are slightly higher targets likely due to their active presence on dating apps, social media, and messaging platforms. Older people are often approached under the guise of professional or romantic interest, particularly through platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, or encrypted messaging apps. Cybercriminals typically use long-term grooming tactics to build trust before they initiate the blackmail.
Statistics Indicate Men are Higher Targets of Sextortion Scams
One item that did come into play was the stark contrast of genders in reported cases. Based on the statistics of the sextortion victims surveyed, men were the overwhelming victims. Nearly 900 of those surveyed were men, and just under 100 were women. This contradicts the common belief that the crime primarily targets women.
The sextortion statistics may primarily skew toward men due to several factors:
- Women may be less likely to report sextortion cases.
- Sextortion differs significantly from revenge porn, which women are more likely to face.
- Sextortion and sexploitation are entirely different crimes, the latter primarily targeting women.
Women may be less likely to report cases due to embarrassment, fear of losing their jobs, or social stigmatization.
Sextortion is not revenge porn, which is typically an act of coercion or revenge. Revenge porn is often done by someone you know, usually a former partner posting the content. Sextortion is online blackmail involving sexually sensitive materials. The scammer is typically someone you don’t know, often living in another state or country. Finally, the goal of sextortion is primarily financial.
The Financial Impact of Sextortion
How much does sextortion cost victims? The average financial impact to a sextortion victim is just under $2,400.
As the sextortion study points out, payments rarely stop threats. Once paid, scammers simply escalate the threats for more money.
- 40% of sextortion victims who paid their attackers received daily threats after complying.
- More than 25% were targeted weekly with further demands for payment.
- Nearly 25% were harassed multiple times per day.
That is why Digital Forensics cautions against paying the attacker. Instead, delay payment by telling the attacker you need time to obtain the money. In the meantime, contact police, platform administrators, and a cybersecurity professional like Digital Forensics Inc. for help.
Sextortion Tragically Goes Unreported to Law Enforcement
According to the sextortion statistics provided by the study, about 98% of sextortion cases go unreported to law enforcement and system administrators.
Regardless of contacting a third party for cyber security or reputation management like Digital Forensics, reporting to both law enforcement and the apps themselves is critical. It’s the only way to hold scammers accountable.
Reporting sextortion also provides a paper trail law enforcement can use to prosecute cybercriminals. Reports also help shape national sextortion statistics, which help police and FBI understand the nature of the problem.
You can report sextortion cases to the FBI to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). You should also report cases to the local police.
Work with Digital Forensics to Protect Yourself from Sextortion and Blackmail
If you or someone you love has been the victim of sextortion, don’t panic. We’re here to help. Our digital forensics engineers and social engineering experts are ready to protect your online reputation and even prevent the release of sensitive material.
We use proven cybersecurity methods to track down scammers and identify their exact location and bank accounts. Our cyber-engineers then use that information to convince the cybercriminals to leave you alone. We’ll safeguard your online profiles so this never happens again.
Gain peace of mind and hold the attackers accountable. Get your life back and stop the thieves from releasing sensitive information.
To learn more about the sextortion statistics, download the report.
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.
