Falling victim to a scam that involves online blackmail can be a harrowing, gut-wrenching experience. In the blink of an eye, you may be coerced by a disreputable online scammer demanding significant sums of money or other forms of compensation.
No one wants to think that it could happen to them. Nevertheless, the truth is that anyone can be a victim of Instagram blackmail scams and other types of scams. Even if you are careful about what you post on social media, there is always a possibility that someone could use something against you.
So, what do you do if you find yourself in this situation? The information below is intended to shed light on Instagram blackmail scams.
What Are Instagram Blackmail Scams?
At its core, Instagram blackmail scams involve manipulating and coercing individuals into sharing personal information or intimate images in order to blackmail them. This form of extortion is known as “sextortion” and is becoming more common on Instagram and other social media platforms (e.g., TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, and so forth).
The objective of Instagram blackmail scams is to lure potential victims into a conversation by disguising one’s self as an attractive woman or man. When scammers have someone intrigued, they use their victim’s public information to establish a connection with him or her. The idea of sharing information or exchanging content can happen fairly quickly or can happen after a span of days of communication.
Once scammers have obtained content, a whirlwind of threats and harassment starts and will not end until they are given a ridiculous amount of money or whatever they are demanding. Trying to figure out how to deal with Instagram blackmail scams can be extremely stressful and traumatic for victims, especially if they are facing this abuse on their own.
The most common scare tactic blackmailers use is isolating their victims and scaring them into believing their lives will be over if their loved ones and the general public discover private information about them.
This is why it is so important for victims to tell someone what they are going through. Most victims of Instagram blackmail scams are too afraid or embarrassed to seek help, which only benefits the scammer in the long run.
The best way to deal with sextortion scams is to reach out to a trusted friend or family member to get support and alert authorities as soon as it happens. We also recommend reaching out to support groups that can help victims of blackmail and exploitation deal with the trauma, including:
- National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA)
- Crash Override
- Cyber Civil Rights Initiative
- The Cybersmile Foundation
Instagram Blackmail Scams: What To Do If You Fall Victim
If you are being blackmailed on Instagram, it is important to act quickly. The longer you wait to reach out for help, the worse the blackmail can get. Here are some tips we recommend taking if you encounter an Instagram blackmail scam.
Report the Scammer to Instagram
Instagram prohibits blackmail and has procedures in place for reporting abuse. To report a blackmailer on Instagram, take the following steps:
- Go to their profile and tap the three dots in the top right corner
- Select “Report”
- Follow the on-screen instructions
- Select the option for “It’s inappropriate” and then “Report account”
- Provide as much detail as possible regarding the blackmail scam
Once reported, Instagram will take action and investigate the account. If they receive sufficient information, Instagram will ban users who are found to be in violation of their harassment policies. Nevertheless, it is important to preserve evidence and explore other reporting options, if necessary.
Retain Screenshots of Communications With the Scammer
Before blocking the scammer, make sure to take screenshots of your interactions with them, including their threats and any photos and/or videos they claim to possess. Also, be sure to retain their username and profile.
Why? Because this is important evidence that can be used if you need to report this crime to law enforcement and, as mentioned above, when you report the scammer to Instagram.
Do Not Agree To Pay Anything
If you are considering complying with the scammer’s demands, do not. Agreeing to pay the scammer will likely only encourage them to demand more money or make other types of demands. Once the scammer has laid out their demands, cease all contact immediately. Do not respond to any messages, send more content, or try to reason with them.
Consider Contacting Law Enforcement
Instagram blackmail scams are considered to be a serious type of crime. While many victims are scared to notify the authorities, filing a formal report with law enforcement creates an official record and can help stop the perpetrator from hurting others.
You can file a report with your local police department or contact the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) to start an investigation.
Tighten Privacy Settings on All Social Media Accounts
In addition to reporting the scammer to Instagram and law enforcement, take the time to go through your Instagram privacy settings and make sure your account has the strongest security settings possible.
Other recommended actions include:
- Set your profile to private so only approved followers can view your posts.
- Hide your Story from everyone except Close Friends.
- Disable the ability for others to reshare your posts.
- Remove any private information, such as your phone number or email address, from your bio section.
It may also make sense to conduct a review and audit of your friend list for verification purposes. Remove any followers you do not actually know or who appear suspicious. Instagram blackmail scammers routinely pose as friendly strangers in an effort to collect information and find new targets.
How To Protect Yourself Against Instagram Blackmail Scams
When it comes to Instagram blackmail scams, there are preventative measures you can take to mitigate the risk of getting scammed. Below are proactive steps you can take to protect yourself from becoming a blackmail target:
- Do not send explicit photos or videos to anyone, even romantic partners or close friends
- Be skeptical of anyone who rushes into “sexting” you or asks you to keep a relationship secret
- Do a reverse image search on profile photos of new followers to determine if they are trying to catfish you
- Keep your Instagram account private and only accept people you know
- Disable settings that reveal your activity status and location
- Do not publicly share your contact information on your account
- Be mindful of what identifiable info is visible in your posts and story
- Log out of Instagram on shared devices
- Institute two-factor authentication
If you find yourself being blackmailed on Instagram, take a deep breath and follow the above steps. Do not agree to pay anything or accept any of the scammer’s terms. Remember, you can safely resolve the situation and get the support you need to overcome this terrible cybercrime.
How Digital Forensic Services Can Help With Instagram Blackmail Scams
If you are being targeted by unscrupulous individuals perpetrating an Instagram blackmail scam, then consider seeking professional assistance from our team at Digital Forensics Corp. We are fully capable and ready to help you through this difficult time. We offer assistance in navigating the situation, assessing the scope of impact of the Instagram blackmail scam, and working to achieve a resolution.
With a 24/7 team of digital investigators, we offer immediate assistance if you are being targeted by Instagram scammers. Our digital forensic services are here to help you develop a comprehensive action plan to address your concerns and provide any evidentiary needs to you, or that the authorities may have. We can provide a myriad of specialized services designed to help you when encountering Instagram blackmail scams.
Our team of experienced and knowledgeable digital forensic experts utilizes proprietary technology to reveal IP addresses, geolocations, specific devices used to log into accounts, unique serial numbers of network cards and browsers used and much more. This means if you fall victim to an Instagram blackmail scam, we can assist in identifying the scammer.
When it comes to rooting out online scammers, we have achieved success in helping individuals who have been targeted by nefarious individuals and organizations, including those perpetrating Instagram blackmail scams.
After your initial service, if you are concerned about being scammed in the future, we stand ready to offer actionable advice and guidance. We know that being a victim of an Instagram blackmail scam can impact your mental health and well-being. Above all, we’re here to be a partner and support you with our forensic services and cyber security expertise.
Don’t go through the ordeal of getting scammed alone. We are here to help. Reach out to our team of digital investigators today to get your questions answered and discover how we can assist you and provide insight on how to fight back against online hackers and scammers.
Sources:
Home Page | National Organization for Victim Advocacy
Home Page | Cyber Civil Rights Initiative
