Dating app video call extortion: how to handle video blackmail
Take a breath. This happens to a lot of people, it isn't your fault, and there are concrete steps that help.
Take a breath: this happens to a lot of people, it isn't your fault, and there are steps that help.
Don't pay, and don't send anything
Paying almost never ends it. It tells them you'll pay again. You don't need to upload anything to get help.
“I matched with you on Tinder, but now you have to pay. $700 in Bitcoin or I upload your Skype recording to YouTube and send the link to your family.”
What to do now
Cease all contact and do not pay
Screenshot the messages and usernames, not the images. Don't save or forward any explicit photo. Never negotiate; scammers interpret negotiation as an indication that you may eventually pay.
Block and report on Skype and the dating app
Report the profile on the dating app for "Offline sextortion threat" and report the messaging account for harassment. Scammers often move on when you stop responding, but report it either way.
Preserve unaltered message records on an offline drive
Keep all sent chat logs and payment handles preserved on an external drive for law enforcement investigation.
Set up Google alerts for your name
Create a free Google Alert for your full name in quotation marks to receive notifications if any public search index mentions your name.
Emergency reporting and removal resources
Free, confidential crisis counselor, 24/7
Blocks sharing on participating platforms. Images stay on your device.
Free NCMEC service to remove images of minors.
Official federal cybercrime complaint center.
Write a DMCA notice for web hosts that won't remove the content.
Frequently asked questions
Will YouTube actually publish the video if they upload it?
No. Major video platforms deploy automated moderation that blocks sexually explicit videos upon upload, before they can be viewed publicly.
How do I stop them from contacting me again?
Change your account privacy settings to only accept incoming calls from verified contacts, and block the user across all platforms.