Reddit is one of the most popular social media platforms, a grouping of diverse communities that thrive on user-driven content. Members can share links, text posts, images, and videos, which are then voted on by other users to determine their visibility.
The platform is divided into thousands of specialized communities, or “subreddits,” where people engage in discussions, share insights, and stay updated on topics of interest. Since they are created by users, Reddit system admin rely on the subreddit organizers to set the rules for the culture, space, and content they wish to host.
But there is a dark side to this social platform, and that is because some predators have been using Reddit to find victims for online blackmail, threatening to expose their sexual content unless compensated. It is a good platform for them to assimilate into an unsuspecting community, and play along like they are one of them, and then attack with some provocative pictures they have found on one or more of the members in the group.
I’ve you’ve fallen for one of these scams and your content is being used to blackmail you, continue reading. In this article we will do a deep dive into how to deal with sextortion on Reddit and how you can make sure it never happens again.
Can Someone Leak Your Nudes on Reddit?
Yes, Reddit is one of the few platforms for a scammer can catfish you, lure you into sending content, threaten you, and potentially leak your content without ever leaving the platform. Reddit is a network created, run, and populated by the Reddit users, so the right scammer can have full control.
But, Reddit system administrators do have a set of guidelines in place that all community members must follow for safety, privacy and to maintain a sense of belonging.
Some of the main rules are no harassment, bullying or threats of violence. Other rules include a no spamming policy, and you cannot reveal someone’s personal or confidential information, and never post intimate or sexually explicit media of someone without their consent.
This is where the criminals disobey the rules and use the platform to scam. They use NSFW groups to leak their victim’s content leveraging subreddits or third-party links to infiltrate an innocent community group and select their specific targets for exposure.
How Scammers Share or Threaten to Leak Intimate Content on Reddit
When they use Reddit, scammers will select their victim and get hold of the person’s email and personal information and then start to threaten them. Here is what to do if a scammer contacts you on Reddit or uses your personal content as a weapon against you:
- Immediately contact and report the content to the system administrator
- Report it as spam and then block or delete them from your emails or social media
- Do not reply or interact with the email or threat in anyway
- Do not open any attachments they send you
- Follow up with administrator to make sure the perpetrator is restricted or banned
How Blackmailers Target Victims on Reddit
There are several ways blackmailers single out innocent victims as ideal candidates Reddit sextortion and how you can avoid being a target.
Fake Profiles & Bots
Usually, the perpetrator will create catfishing profiles and direct messages to initiate content with the targeted person. At first it may seem harmless, but as they progress, they will get more aggressive with requests and try to control or manipulate the conversations.
Targeting Through Subreddits
A subreddit is a niche community on the Reddit platform and they all have their own rules and regulations. There are thousands of subreddits and some of the category’s perpetrators will target include:
- NSFW: This is an acronym for “Not Safe For Work” which is a warning label for content that is inappropriate or not suitable for some audiences
- Dating: There are lots of dating type subreddits on the platform and this is a group or category this is a prime target for Reddit sextortion.
- Relationship Advice: This is a subreddit category where people discuss and share information on relationships, and it is a key area for criminals to contact unsuspecting individuals.
- Investment boards: People who join the subreddit are looking for investment advice or want to connect with likeminded people who are discussing money. Perpetrators will target this group since there is an opportunity to go after people with money or investments they can exploit, starting with online blackmail.
Phishing Links
On Reddit it is common for phishing where malicious criminals will act like or impersonate a legitimate organization and then they deceive an innocent person in to having them provide sensitive information like usernames, passwords, financial and/or personal information via a phishing link. This can happen in Reddit with domain spoofing (fake domains) where it will look somewhat like the companies, to try and trick the targeted persons into clicking on it and submitting information or adding explicit content.
Grooming Tactics
Sextortion scams require the scammer build trust with the victim before attempting to lead them into sending the intimate content they’ll use to threaten them. On Reddit, this conversation will likely start off lightly before the perpetrator entraps the target with aggressive sexual conversations. This is all to create the idea of there being a legitimate romantic relationship.
In some cases, the criminal might even send fake intimate content to ensnare the victim in a “I showed you mine” scenario. Once the perpetrator has gained some sign of trust, or has your personal content like videos, images, or text, from intimate exchanges, that is when the conversation changes and they start threatening to expose you.
What To Do Of You’re Sextorted on Reddit
Here are the steps to take if you are faced with Reddit sextortion:
- Stay calm and do not panic, you need to think logically
- Immediately report the sextortion to the system administrators
- Do not pay them once you have been tricked or engage with them any further
- Do not delete anything, as you will need to use the information as evidence against them
- Contact a professional cyber security company who has experience and skilled staff in handling sextortion on Reddit
Removing Leaked Content
There steps victims of sextortion on Reddit can take if the explicit content is shared on Reddit app. The first option is to attempt to file a DMCA Takedown, if you are unfamiliar with this tool, you may want to consult with an attorney that specializes in this legal notice.
Another option is to file a complaint with Reddit system administrators. While their response time is not known to be immediate, NCII abuse does violate their terms of use.
Protect Yourself From Sextortion on Reddit
Be cautious when interacting with new people on social platforms, especially if their conversation seems suspicious. While some connections may be harmless, others could lead to situations like Reddit sextortion. To protect yourself:
- Avoid sharing personal or explicit content with anyone you haven’t met in person
- Be wary of interactions in NSFW subreddits and monitor new members joining your subreddit
- Learn how to identify phishing links and fake profiles. If you notice anything suspicious, contact the system administrator
- If you’ve shared explicit content in the past, regularly check your online presence for any leaks. Staying cautious can help you mitigate any lasting damage from sextortion on Reddit or any other digital platform. Reddit’s role in combating sextortion
This social platform is defined by users who also help with managing and moderating the communities. There are about eight rules that govern the platform for safety, and they include monitoring users, and banning anyone who does not obey the guidelines. If they do, they will temporarily or permanently suspend accounts, remove content, or even ban entire communities.
Are You A Victim of Sextortion on Reddit?
Digital Forensics Corp is an established cyber security services company that specializes in handling and solving all forms of cybercrime. If you or anyone you know is facing sextortion, then contact us 24/7 at 1-888-521-1551 and put our team of experts on your case so you can get your life back and bring justice to the scammers.
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.
