What to do if someone is blackmailing you
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.
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.
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
Should I pay the blackmailer to make them delete the photos?
Never pay. Paying rarely results in the deletion of photos. Instead, it marks you as a cooperative target, and extortionists usually demand more money within hours.
Will the scammer actually send the photos to my followers or family?
Extortionists rely on panic and leverage. Sending the photos destroys their leverage against you and risks immediate platform account termination and law enforcement escalation. Scammers often move on when you stop responding, but report it either way.
What immediate steps should I take on Snapchat or Instagram?
First, take uncropped screenshots of the conversation, usernames, profile URLs, and payment instructions without saving or forwarding any explicit photos. Next, set your social accounts to private, hide follower lists, block the scammer across all channels, and report their account.
Can law enforcement help in sextortion cases?
Yes. In the United States, sextortion is a federal crime. You can file a report directly with the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3.gov) or review guidance on the FBI sextortion page. If a minor is involved, report immediately to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC.org).
Can I check whether the blackmailer's photos are fake?
Don't upload the images anywhere. Report the account and use Take It Down or StopNCII.