Someone says they recorded you on webcam
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 recorded everything you did on webcam. Pay $1,000 in Bitcoin within 2 hours or this video gets sent to all your Facebook friends and your boss.”
What to do now
Save the messages, then block
Screenshot the messages and the sender's username. Don't save any explicit images.
Stop replying
Don't argue or negotiate. Most scammers move on when you go quiet.
Make your accounts private
Hide your friends and follower lists so they can't find your contacts.
Report it
FBI at ic3.gov. If you're under 18, use Take It Down.
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 the blackmailer actually send the video to my friends?
Often not. Scammers operate volume schemes targeting multiple people at once. Distributing illegal sexually explicit content immediately flags their accounts for permanent platform bans, destroying their operational infrastructure. Scammers often move on when you stop responding, but report it either way.
What happens if I already paid them?
Cease all communication immediately. Do not send further payments. Contact your bank or payment provider to dispute recent transactions if possible, block the scammer across all channels, and tighten your social privacy settings.
Should I upload the file to an online detector?
No. Don't upload intimate images to any online tool. Keep message records saved securely on an offline drive and report directly to NCMEC (Take It Down / CyberTipline for under 18), StopNCII (18+), or the FBI (IC3).