With the advent of social media and our increasingly connected world, it has become easier than ever for cybercriminals to target thousands of new victims each year. No longer hindered by distance, language, or other limiting factors, online blackmail has evolved into a global enterprise, conducted by both individuals and large criminal organizations.
By creating fake profiles across the top ten most popular social media platforms, blackmailers gain access to an estimated five billion users globally*. This vast reach allows them to create multiple fake accounts, enticing users to accept connection requests and ultimately ensnare victims.
How Can You Be Blackmailed on Social Media?
While there are many different types of social media blackmail scams, they all share a common starting point: the blackmailer must first connect with you. Without establishing a connection, they can’t gain access to the personal information needed to extort you. Below are some of the most common scams that cybercriminals use to connect with victims on social media networks:
Fake Profile Catfishing
Many social media blackmail cases investigated by Digital Forensics Corp. begin when a victim connects with and starts chatting with a stranger*. These cases escalate quickly as the blackmailer uses seductive photos (often not of themselves) to build a false romantic or sexual relationship. The goal is either to solicit money/gifts from the victim (in a romance scam) or to coerce the victim into sharing explicit photos or videos, which can then be used for sextortion.
Friends & Family Account Takeover
While less common than Fake Profile Catfishing, this type of scam involves the blackmailer creating a fake account or hacking the account of someone you know or are related to. They may use this account to send malicious links in an attempt to hack your account or impersonate your connection to extort you for money.
Account Hacking
In this scam, a cybercriminal uses malicious links or password-cracking techniques to hack into your social media account. Once hacked, the blackmailer may threaten to delete your account or use it to access embarrassing or compromising information to blackmail you.
Account Hacking Fake-Out
A more common variation of account hacking involves a blackmailer falsely claiming to have hacked your account in an attempt to extort money or gain access to your devices for more information. The only difference being that they have not actually completed a true hack of your social account.
Recognizing a Blackmail Scam on Social Media
Blackmailers often use specific tactics to build trust with victims and gain leverage. Being aware of these tactics is key to recognizing a scam before it escalates. Common red flags include:
- Love Bombing: The blackmailer quickly expresses excessive affection or attraction. This tactic is meant to overwhelm the victim and gain their trust quickly.
- Lack of Profile History or Images: Fake profiles often lack a history of posts or genuine images. If the profile has few details or looks suspicious, it’s a clear sign of a scam.
- AI-Generated or Generic Images: Fake profiles may use stock or AI-generated photos. If the images seem too polished or generic, they likely aren’t real.
- Pressure to Move Conversations to Another Platform: If the blackmailer pushes you to continue conversations on another app (especially one with fewer safety restrictions), this is a sign they are trying to bypass social media safeguards.
- Inconsistent or Incoherent Backstories: When asked about their profile or history, blackmailers will often give answers that don’t make sense or are inconsistent.
Even if you’ve been cautious with your social media profiles, you may still fall victim to blackmail. If you or someone you know is being targeted, contact the Digital Forensics Corp. Blackmail Helpline 24/7 to learn your options for stopping the blackmail.
Solutions to End the Cycle of Social Media Blackmail
Before you take action against your blackmailer, follow these important steps. It’s important to remember that your blackmailer has likely targeted multiple victims before you. You are not alone in this, and together, we can help you regain control and protect your reputation.
The 6 Steps to Take When Someone Blackmails You on Social Media
- Don’t Panic & Don’t Give In: Stay calm. Although your blackmailer may claim they’ll delete their leverage if you pay them, this is a tactic to extract payment. If you pay, they are likely to demand more money later, at increasing amounts.
- Limit Your Communication: Do not respond to your blackmailer immediately. While ignoring them won’t stop the threats, delaying your response can help you get professional advice. If you need help stalling, we have resources for effective tactics [here].
- Collect Evidence: Take screenshots of any threatening messages. When reporting digital blackmail or online sextortion, no legitimate organization will require you to provide explicit images or files. Only share what’s necessary to report the crime.
- Report the Account, But Do Not Block: While it may seem tempting to block the blackmailer, it’s crucial not to do so. Keeping the connection open allows cybercrime professionals to trace and investigate the account. Each social media platform has its own reporting procedure; we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide to reporting scams on various networks here.
- Contact Local Law Enforcement: Some local law enforcement divisions are better equipped to handle cybercrime, but regardless of their capabilities, you should always file a police report when faced with blackmail. If the victim is under 18, you should also report the incident to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).
- Seek Help from a Cybersecurity Firm: Digital forensics is a branch of cybersecurity that focuses on responding to crimes involving the use of personal data for extortion. If you want to fight back against your blackmailer, Digital Forensics Corp. has experts available 24/7 via our Blackmail Helpline. For more details on how we combat digital blackmail and other online scams, check out our free resource: How to Stop a Blackmailer.
Get Help from Digital Forensics and Stop Social Media Blackmail
If you’re being targeted by a blackmailer, it’s critical to act quickly to regain control. One of the most effective ways to fight back is through Digital Forensics Corp. We work with you to remove your blackmailer’s greatest weapon: their anonymity.
Digital Forensics Corp. Deploys a Three-Step Process to Stop Social Media Blackmail
- Geo-Location and Information Gathering: Using advanced tracking tools, our team locates the blackmailer and gathers digital footprints to uncover their true identity.
- Interceding on Your Behalf: We leverage this information to act on your behalf, removing any threatening data or compromising information the blackmailer has used against you.
- Ongoing Support and Monitoring: Our cybersecurity professionals continue to monitor your situation, ensuring that future exposure is minimized and your safety is maintained.
If you need immediate assistance or more information on how to stop a blackmailer, contact Digital Forensics Corp. today.
Sources:
- The number of monthly social media users are based on figures presented by the top 10 social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X, etc. These figures are based on the collected information of Q2, 2024 investor reports and may be over or under estimated. Digital Forensics Corp. makes not guarantee for the validity of these figures.
- *Digital Forensics Corp Statistics–*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.
- Federal Burau of Investigation (FBI) Internet Crime Complain Center (IC3) – https://www.ic3.gov/
- National Center For Missing & Exploited Children – https://www.missingkids.org/theissues/sextortion
