Let’s talk about something that no one really wants to talk about—but too many people are going through.
If someone is threatening to share private, explicit, or embarrassing images of you—whether real, fake, or manipulated—and using them to scare or blackmail you… This space is for you.
It might feel like your whole world is about to collapse. Like you’ve done something wrong. Like you can’t tell anyone.
But you’re not alone. And you’re not powerless.
This is a safe, judgment-free zone where we break it all down—what sextortion is, how these scammers operate, and most importantly, how you can protect yourself and take back control.
No scare tactics. No shame. Just facts, support, and a reminder that you will get through this.
Rule number one: don’t reply. Not even a “please stop” or “I know it’s fake.” Nothing. Every response is fuel to them. Just block them on every platform—Snap, Insta, TikTok, WhatsApp, whatever—and move on.
They thrive off your panic. Going totally silent makes you boring—and useless—to them.
You’ve got two paths here:
Either way, you’re taking back control of your space.
If you have copies of the images they’re using—whether real, edited, AI-generated, or screenshots—you’re not stuck. Head to TakeItDown.NCMEC.org. It’s a free tool run by people who actually care. Upload the photos (they don’t keep them), and they’ll create a digital “fingerprint” that social platforms use to block the image from being posted.
Think of it like a bouncer for your online identity.
Here’s the truth scammers don’t want you to know: leaking is bad business. Once they leak the images, they lose their leverage. Plus, platforms ban them. So most of the time, they’re bluffing.
You’re not the first person they’ve tried this on, and you won’t be the last. To them, it’s just a game of numbers. Your silence makes you the wrong target.
Reporting feels scary, but it matters. In the U.S., you can go to:
It feels huge now, but it won’t feel this way forever.
Contact a support line. You don’t have to explain everything — just start.
Not in the U.S.? Google your country’s cybercrime reporting portal. Most have one.
Trust me, reporting doesn’t make it worse. It makes it better.
If you paid them, you can still fight back. Report it to your bank or the app (Cash App, Venmo, PayPal, etc.). Ask for a reversal. Criminal payments often get blocked automatically anyway, and the scammer won’t even know you reported it.
You’re not just protecting yourself. You’re blocking their next move.
If they have your number and won’t shut up, filter them out. On iPhone, it’s literally one toggle:
Settings → Messages → Filter Unknown Senders.
No more anxiety buzzes from random numbers.
If they’re extra persistent, change your number. Most carriers make it easy and free. Fresh start, full stop.
Sextortion messes with your head. It makes you feel like you did something wrong, like you should hide. But that’s exactly what scammers want.
Talking about it—even just to read this far—is powerful. You’re already doing more than most.
So here’s your reminder: You didn’t deserve this. You’re not stupid. You’re not weak. You’re being targeted by garbage people who rely on silence to win.
Let’s make some noise instead.
Have you fallen for a hoax, bought a fake product? Report the site and warn others!
As the influence of the internet rises, so does the prevalence of online scams. There are fraudsters making all kinds of claims to trap victims online - from fake investment opportunities to online stores - and the internet allows them to operate from any part of the world with anonymity. The ability to spot online scams is an important skill to have as the virtual world is increasingly becoming a part of every facet of our lives. The below tips will help you identify the signs which can indicate that a website could be a scam. Common Sense: Too Good To Be True When looking for goods online, a great deal can be very enticing. A Gucci bag or a new iPhone for half the price? Who wouldn’t want to grab such a deal? Scammers know this too and try to take advantage of the fact. If an online deal looks too good to be true, think twice and double-check things. The easiest way to do this is to simply check out the same product at competing websites (that you trust). If the difference in prices is huge, it might be better to double-check the rest of the website. Check Out the Social Media Links Social media is a core part of ecommerce businesses these days and consumers often expect online shops to have a social media presence. Scammers know this and often insert logos of social media sites on their websites. Scratching beneath the surface often reveals this fu
So the worst has come to pass - you realise you parted with your money too fast, and the site you used was a scam - what now? Well first of all, don’t despair!! If you think you have been scammed, the first port of call when having an issue is to simply ask for a refund. This is the first and easiest step to determine whether you are dealing with a genuine company or scammers. Sadly, getting your money back from a scammer is not as simple as just asking. If you are indeed dealing with scammers, the procedure (and chance) of getting your money back varies depending on the payment method you used. PayPal Debit card/Credit card Bank transfer Wire transfer Google Pay Bitcoin PayPal If you used PayPal, you have a strong chance of getting your money back if you were scammed. On their website, you can file a dispute within 180 calendar days of your purchase. Conditions to file a dispute: The simplest situation is that you ordered from an online store and it has not arrived. In this case this is what PayPal states: "If your order never shows up and the seller can't provide proof of shipment or delivery, you'll get a full refund. It's that simple." The scammer has sent you a completely different item. For example, you ordered a PlayStation 4, but instead received only a Playstation controller. The condition of the item was misrepresented on the product page. This could be the