Why this happens

Organized sextortion rings run high volume operations targeting tens of thousands of victims a year. The perpetrator is rarely the only person involved and the operation is rarely a single jurisdiction.

Payment confirms the victim's willingness to pay and produces escalating demands in over 80 percent of documented cases. The threat does not stop after payment.

Legal framework in Norway

Straffeloven § 267a (krenkelse av privatlivets fred ved deling av krenkende bilder). Fine or imprisonment up to 1 year. Up to 3 years for aggravated cases.

Norway added § 267a in 2021 specifically to address intimate image abuse, separating it from the general defamation provisions. Slettmeg.no is the official national service for help with removing personal content from the internet.

Evidence to preserve

Do not: Do not pay the perpetrator. Payment escalates demands in over 80 percent of cases and does not produce content removal.

Five step removal process

  1. 1

    Preserve all evidence first

    Every message from the perpetrator, with timestamps and account handles preserved. Any payment requests including cryptocurrency wallet addresses, bank details, or gift card requests.

  2. 2

    File the Straffeloven § 267a criminal complaint

    Report to local police or the national cybercrime unit. Slettmeg.no can assist.

  3. 3

    Submit an erasure request under GDPR Article 17 via EEA agreement plus Personopplysningsloven

    Each major platform has a designated data protection contact. The request must cite the legal basis and identify the URLs. The platform has 30 days to respond. Datatilsynet accepts complaints for non compliance.

  4. 4

    Run a biometric scan to find every additional copy

    Content posted to one platform is rarely confined to one platform. ScanErase identifies every current hosting location in a single scan, including mirror copies and AI generated variants.

  5. 5

    File TAKE IT DOWN Act notices for covered platforms

    Use your scan report to file the federal 48 hour notice yourself, in parallel with your domestic rights. The two regimes are cumulative, not exclusive.

Statutory citations to include in your complaint

Frequently asked questions

Is sextortion a crime in Norway?

Yes. Straffeloven § 267a (krenkelse av privatlivets fred ved deling av krenkende bilder) criminalises this conduct. Fine or imprisonment up to 1 year. Up to 3 years for aggravated cases.

What evidence should a Norway victim of sextortion preserve?

Every message from the perpetrator, with timestamps and account handles preserved. Any payment requests including cryptocurrency wallet addresses, bank details, or gift card requests. The perpetrator's social media account, profile photo, and stated identity. If you have already paid, the transaction records and recipient details.

Does GDPR Article 17 via EEA agreement apply to this scenario?

Yes. GDPR Article 17 via EEA agreement plus Personopplysningsloven gives the victim a direct erasure right against any platform processing the imagery. Datatilsynet enforces non compliance.

What support is available in Norway for sextortion?

Slettmeg.no provides direct support to victims and can assist with both the criminal complaint and the platform removal process. Contact at https://slettmeg.no.

Can a Norway victim also file a US TAKE IT DOWN Act notice?

Yes when the hosting platform is subject to US jurisdiction. The 48 hour federal removal obligation runs in parallel with rights under Straffeloven § 267a and GDPR Article 17 via EEA agreement plus Personopplysningsloven.