Sextortion Scam
A Relationship Scam

Sextortion Scam is a Kind of Romance Scam where Criminals Exploit Emotional Vulnerability & Desires to Gain Financial, Personal, or Psychological Advantage over Their Victims

A Sextortion Scam is a part of a broader category of Trust-Based Relationship Scams

Sextortion scams have become a growing global crime that targets both adults and minors through deception, manipulation, and threats. The term sextortion refers to a form of blackmail or extortion in which criminals coerce or manipulate their victims into sending sexual images, videos, or explicit communication and then use those materials to demand money, more images, or other favors. While some sextortion cases stem from real-life relationships (those are usually referred to as ‘Revenge Porn’), the vast majority today originate online, with criminals posing as potential romantic partners or friends to lure individuals into compromising situations. These scams have expanded rapidly through social media platforms, dating apps, and online gaming spaces, creating a widespread threat that affects diverse age groups, including vulnerable teenagers and unsuspecting adults.

These can also be a secondary scam that takes place in a regular romance scam if the victim becomes aware of the scam and refuses to send more money. The criminals will use this to get additional money from the victims.

In the context of sextortion scams, the perpetrators deliberately create false identities to build trust with their targets. They present themselves as attractive individuals interested in friendship, flirting, or romantic relationships. Once communication is established, the conversation quickly escalates toward sexual topics. The criminal pressures the victim to send explicit photos, videos, or engage in live-streamed sexual activity. After obtaining compromising material, the scammer reveals their true intentions. They threaten to release the images to the victim’s family, friends, employer, or social networks unless the victim pays money or provides more explicit content.

This crime has evolved with technology, becoming more sophisticated and difficult to detect. Scammers frequently use fake profiles that appear authentic, complete with stolen photos, believable biographies, and sometimes even manipulated video content to convince the victim they are interacting with a real person. Many sextortion operations are run by organized criminal groups that employ teams to target hundreds of victims simultaneously, operating from call centers or using automated software to streamline the scam. Some offenders act alone, using social engineering tactics to manipulate individuals they meet online.

The typical victims of sextortion scams vary, but law enforcement and victim support groups report two high-risk categories: teenagers and adults seeking online connections. For minors, sextortion is especially dangerous because it often intersects with grooming and exploitation. Teenagers, particularly boys, are frequently targeted on platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, or gaming apps. Scammers impersonate other teens or young adults, gain the victim’s trust, and initiate sexually charged conversations. Many teenage boys believe they are speaking with a peer, only to later discover they have been tricked by an adult or criminal group posing behind a false identity. Once explicit images are shared, the threats begin, demanding payment through gift cards, cryptocurrency, or other methods. Some scams pressure the teen to send additional sexual content under escalating blackmail.

Adult victims, meanwhile, often encounter sextortion through dating apps, adult websites, or social media platforms. Lonely individuals looking for companionship or casual interactions become targets when they engage in flirtatious exchanges with an unknown person. The scammer, posing as a romantic prospect, initiates a conversation that quickly turns sexual. In many cases, victims are persuaded to undress on video calls or send private images, believing the interaction is consensual. The scammer records the material or captures images and then demands payment, threatening public exposure. Adults of all ages, including working professionals, married individuals, and retirees, have fallen prey to this crime, often motivated by embarrassment, fear of reputational damage, or the desire to avoid family or workplace consequences.

Sextortion often results in suicide.

The modus operandi of sextortion scams is highly calculated. Criminals exploit common human vulnerabilities such as curiosity, loneliness, or the desire for connection. They use psychological tactics to build rapport quickly, employing flattery, sexual innuendo, and false promises of intimacy. Once they secure explicit material, their tactics turn aggressive. Victims often receive repeated threats, including edited images designed to humiliate them further, or messages implying that their contacts, employers, or community members will receive the material if demands are not met.

Many sextortion scams originate from organized crime networks around the world, but the West Africans (Nigerians) are particularly vicious. These crime groups include groups based in West Africa, Southeast Asia, and Eastern Europe. These operations function with precision, targeting hundreds or thousands of individuals each day. Some criminals work in structured teams, dividing tasks such as building fake profiles, communicating with victims, collecting compromising material, and handling payment demands. Increasingly, sextortion is also facilitated by criminal organizations running scam centers, where individuals are forced into these roles after being deceived by fake job advertisements. In such cases, some of the so-called scammers are trafficking victims themselves, held captive and coerced into conducting online exploitation under threat of violence or debt bondage.

The impact on victims of sextortion scams is severe, both emotionally and psychologically. Teenagers, in particular, face significant mental health risks. Many young victims experience overwhelming shame, anxiety, and fear. The stress of potential public exposure, combined with the developmental stage of adolescence, creates a dangerous situation. There have been significant reports of teens self-harming or taking their own lives after becoming victims of sextortion. Even when the threats are never carried out, the psychological burden often leaves lasting emotional scars.

Adult victims are also heavily affected. The fear of reputational damage, family embarrassment, or workplace consequences can lead to depression, anxiety, and social withdrawal. Victims frequently experience insomnia, loss of appetite, and difficulties concentrating due to ongoing fear and distress. Many feel isolated, believing they cannot confide in friends or family due to shame or fear of judgment. The financial impact also varies, with some victims paying significant amounts to prevent exposure, only to find that the demands escalate rather than stop.

Sextortion scams erode personal trust, damage self-confidence, and leave victims feeling powerless. The emotional manipulation, coupled with the violation of privacy, leaves a profound psychological impact. Victims often struggle to regain a sense of safety, both online and in real life, and many require professional support to process the trauma. In cases involving minors, the long-term consequences can include disrupted education, strained family relationships, and ongoing mental health challenges.

Law enforcement and cybercrime experts emphasize that victims should never pay extortion demands, as doing so often results in continued harassment. Instead, individuals are encouraged to document evidence, block the scammer, report the incident to authorities, and seek emotional support from trusted adults or victim assistance organizations. Early intervention is critical to preventing further harm and reducing the emotional toll.

Sextortion scams are a widespread, dangerous form of online exploitation affecting both teenagers and adults. The crime thrives on deception, emotional manipulation, and threats, targeting vulnerable individuals across digital platforms. While the immediate goal is financial gain or additional explicit material, the lasting damage extends far beyond monetary loss. Victims endure emotional trauma, mental health struggles, and significant personal distress. Understanding how these scams operate, recognizing the signs, and promoting prevention through education and support are essential steps to protect individuals from falling victim to this destructive crime.

Tim McGuinness, Ph.D., DFin, MCPO, MAnth – Anthropologist, Scientist, Polymath, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.