Sextortion and blackmail scams
Sextortion and blackmail scams threaten to share private material unless you pay - usually empty, mass-sent bluffs.
Quick answer: Do not pay and do not reply - these threats are almost always bluffs; keep the message and report it.
How sextortion and blackmail scams work
A mass email or message claims to have hacked you or have private material and demands crypto payment.
It uses fear and secrecy; a quoted old password usually comes from a data breach, not your device.
Paying invites more demands and rarely stops them.
Common opening lines
- “I have access to your device and private material - pay or I'll share it.”
- “I have a private video of you - pay now or I'll send it to your contacts.”
- “I know your password - send payment or everyone sees.”
Example patterns
Sanitised examples - placeholders only, never real links or data.
Example only: I have access to your device and private material. Pay in crypto within 48 hours or I'll share it.
Example only: I have a private video of you. Pay now or I'll send it to your contacts.
What the scammer wants
- A fast payment driven by fear
- Your silence
- More money once you pay
Where it spreads
Platforms: Email, Instagram
Watch especially in: United States, United Kingdom, India
Red flags
- sextortion
- threat
- emotional
What to do now
- Pause and verify with the person directly on a known number.
- If money moved, contact your bank immediately.
- Report it and keep the messages as evidence.
What not to do
- Don't pay under pressure, secrecy, or emotional urgency.
- Don't send money or gift cards based on a voice, video, or story alone.
- Don't keep it secret - check with someone you trust first.
If you already responded
If you went further: if you clicked, don't enter anything and change any details you typed; if you entered card details, freeze the card with your bank; if you shared an OTP, change the password and enable app-based 2FA; if you paid, contact your bank or provider immediately; if you installed an app or gave remote access, disconnect, uninstall, and change passwords from a clean device.
How to verify safely
Don't engage; a quoted old password usually comes from a breach - change it everywhere. Mass 'I hacked you' emails are bluffs.
How to report
Report through official channels you find yourself - never a number or link from the message. Tell your bank or payment provider if money moved, and file with your national fraud or cybercrime body. Find the right links in the reporting directory. Open the reporting directory.
Watch for 'recovery' offers afterwards: anyone promising to get your money back for an upfront fee is running a second scam.
Related scam messages you can check
- sextortion 'hello pervert' email Suspicious
- 'Hello pervert' sextortion email Likely scam
- fake private video blackmail message Likely scam
Related platforms
Report in your country
Related red flags
Emergency guides
Related terms
Sources checked
- FBI IC3 - Senior US officials impersonated in malicious messaging campaign (2025)
- AARP - Biggest scams to watch for in 2026
Frequently asked questions
The email has my old password - is it real?
Almost certainly a bluff using a breached password. Don't pay or reply. Change that password everywhere and report it.
Last reviewed: 2026-06-05
This is general safety information, not legal, financial, or cybersecurity incident-response advice. We can't detect every scam or guarantee recovery - always verify through official channels.