Dealing with sextortion (blackmail or extortion using intimate images)
What is extortion or blackmail using intimate images (commonly known as "sextortion")?
Sextortion occurs when criminals use fake identities to befriend victims online and persuade them to share sexually explicit images or videos, or to perform sexual acts on camera. Offenders then threaten to share the footage unless a ransom is paid.
Offenders target individuals of all genders and ages. Leverage may be financial, but more commonly involves threatening reputational harm, personal distress, or damage to relationships if material is disclosed.
Remember that you are not alone and confidential support is available. You can get through this.
If you have received an email claiming that someone has recorded you through your webcam, it may simply be a phishing email rather than a genuine sextortion attempt. See the Phishing Guide.
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When dealing with sextortion - do this first!
Report it - Report the matter to the South African Police Service (SAPS). You can visit your nearest police station or call 10111.
If you are under 18, or the content involves someone under 18, treat this as both a child protection issue and a crime.You should:
Contact Childline South Africa on 116.
Report the matter to SAPS.
Consider reporting suspected child sexual abuse material (CSAM) through the Film and Publication Board's child protection reporting process.
Report the offending account, messages and any uploaded content to the platform where the contact occurred (for example Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, TikTok, Snapchat, Telegram or a dating app).
Do not delete the account or messages unless keeping them creates an immediate safety risk. If you feel your report is not being taken seriously, ask to speak with another officer or request referral to the appropriate cybercrime, child protection, sexual offences or gender-based violence reporting process.
Cut communications - Do not communicate further with the offenders. Do not negotiate, threaten or attempt to reason with them. Any further engagement can encourage additional demands.
Don’t pay - Our advice is not to pay the ransom. Many victims who pay continue receiving further demands for larger amounts of money. Even after payment, offenders may still distribute the images or videos.
If you have already paid:
Contact your bank, card provider, payment service, cryptocurrency exchange or money transfer provider immediately.
Ask whether the payment can be stopped, reversed or traced.
Keep all receipts, transaction IDs, wallet addresses, account details and other payment records as evidence.
Preserve evidence - Take screenshots of all communications. Record any information provided by the offenders, including:
Usernames
Profile URLs
Email addresses
Phone numbers
Cryptocurrency wallet addresses
Money transfer reference numbers
Photos or videos received
Payment instructions
Do not delete any correspondence until advised by law enforcement.
If you have a copy of the content - If you are 18 or older and have a copy of the intimate image or video StopNCII.org may help prevent the content from being shared on participating platforms by creating a secure digital fingerprint of the file.
If you are under 18, or the content depicts someone under 18, do not upload or share the material further. Report it to SAPS, Childline South Africa and the Film and Publication Board's child protection reporting process.
If you are under 18, or the content depicts someone under 18, you may also be able to use Take It Down, a service designed to help prevent online sharing of child sexual abuse material and intimate images involving minors.
Approaches to dealing with sextortion
Report and work with SAPS - Sextortion is frequently carried out by organised criminal groups and can have serious emotional, financial and reputational consequences. Report the matter to SAPS and obtain a case number. Follow police advice throughout the investigation.
Limit the offenders ability to contact you -Temporarily deactivate (rather than permanently delete) affected social media accounts where possible. This preserves information that may assist investigators while preventing offenders from continuing to contact you. Also monitor any linked accounts in case the offenders attempt to contact you elsewhere.
Attempt to get the content taken down - If intimate content has been shared online:
Report it using the platform's reporting process for intimate image abuse, nudity, harassment, blackmail or child safety.
Keep copies of reports, emails and reference numbers.
Some platforms use matching technology to help prevent future uploads, although removal cannot be guaranteed.
Consider warning trusted contacts - Offenders often threaten to send images or videos to family, friends or colleagues. Follow police advice. Where appropriate, you may choose to warn close contacts that they may receive malicious messages and should avoid opening unexpected links or files claiming to involve you.
If you are supporting someone affected by sextortion - If you are supporting someone affected by sextortion:
Stay calm.
Do not blame them.
Reassure them that they are not alone and that professional criminals commonly use these tactics.
Additional support may include:
Childline South Africa (116) if the person is a child.
Gender-Based Violence Command Centre (0800 428 428) where domestic abuse, coercive control, sexual violence or gender-based violence is involved.
SADAG Suicide Crisis Helpline (0800 567 567) if the person is at immediate risk of self-harm or suicide.
If intimate content has already been published online, encourage the person affected to avoid repeatedly viewing the content or comments, as this may worsen emotional distress.
How to avoid a sextortion scam
Trust your instincts - If something feels too good to be true, it probably is. If someone pressures you into behaviour that makes you uncomfortable, end the conversation immediately.
Think carefully before sharing intimate content - Sharing intimate images or videos online always carries some risk, even when you trust the other person. If you choose to share intimate content, consider whether identifying details such as your face, tattoos, room, school, workplace, username or other personal information are visible. If someone pressures, manipulates or threatens you into sexual activity online, that is not your fault. Remember that once intimate content has been shared electronically, you lose control over how it may be stored, copied or distributed.
Be cautious about online connections - Do not accept friend requests or direct messages from strangers without careful consideration. When using dating sites or apps, consider using a separate email address that does not reveal your full name or other personal information.
Review your online privacy and security - Reduce the amount of personal information visible on your social media accounts.
Review your privacy settings regularly.
Use strong, unique passwords and enable multi-factor authentication wherever available.
Keep your devices and apps updated to reduce the risk of account compromise.
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