Sextortion, using intimate images or the threat of sharing them to extort money, favors, or more images, is a federal crime under 18 U.S.C. 2261A and may also violate state extortion statutes. The FBI and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) both have resources specifically for sextortion victims. Paying the perpetrator rarely stops the demands and often leads to escalating requests.

If the perpetrator has already posted your images online, ScanErase can scan for any content that has been shared and provide you with findings. If the threat is in the future, ScanErase can help monitor for any content that may be posted.

Documenting the threats is critical. Screenshot all communications, messages, emails, social media DMs, without responding in ways that escalate. Do not delete any messages even if they are distressing. This documentation is essential for law enforcement. If the perpetrator is in another country, the FBI's IC3 division handles international sextortion cases and has relationships with foreign law enforcement agencies.

What to do right now

  1. Do not pay the perpetratorPayment rarely stops demands and often escalates them. The perpetrator is committing a federal crime regardless of what you do.
  2. Document all threats without respondingScreenshot every message. Do not delete anything even if it is distressing. Do not send additional images or money.
  3. Run a biometric scan immediatelyScanErase checks whether any content has already been posted. If it has, you will be informed with findings.
  4. Report to the FBI IC3File a report at ic3.gov. Include screenshots of all threat communications. The FBI prioritizes sextortion cases.
  5. Contact NCMEC if a minor is involvedNCMEC's CyberTipline handles sextortion cases involving minors. Call 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678).