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Sextortion scam alerts
Sextortion is now the fastest-growing cybercrime targeting teenage boys, per FBI 2024 PSA. Two patterns dominate: catfish coercion (offender poses as a peer, obtains intimate images, then threatens release unless paid) and email-based 'I hacked your webcam' blackmail blasts. Reporting works — paying does not.
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What this is
Sextortion is extortion involving the threatened distribution of intimate images, real or AI-generated. The threat may be against the victim themselves, fabricated against them via deepfake, or against people in their address book.
Red flags to watch for
- New 'match' on Snap, Insta, or a dating app escalates to intimate exchange within hours
- After receiving an image, the account demands payment (often via CashApp, crypto, gift card) under threat of sending to family/friends
- Mass email claims a webcam was hacked, includes one of your old breached passwords, and demands BTC to a fresh address
- Threat references your real workplace or contacts pulled from public LinkedIn
- Deepfake nudes generated from your social photos accompany the extortion demand
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What to do if you've been targeted
- 1
Stop all communication immediately
Block the account on every platform. Do not respond, do not pay, do not negotiate.
- 2
Preserve evidence
Screenshot the profile, every message, the payment request, and any images sent to you. Save to a separate device or cloud folder.
- 3
Report to the platform and FBI/NCMEC
Report the account on Instagram/Snap/Discord. File at tips.fbi.gov and (for minors) CyberTipline.org. UK: Internet Watch Foundation. AU: eSafety Commissioner.
- 4
Use NCMEC Take It Down (under 18)
TakeItDown.NCMEC.org generates a hash of the image and helps participating platforms remove copies without the image leaving your device.
- 5
Save to Shield
Save the handle and any wallets to your free GACS Shield to be alerted on cross-reports.
FAQs
Should I pay to make it stop?
No. Payment escalates demands — once you pay, you've identified yourself as someone who will. The vast majority of email-blast threats never act on the threat regardless of payment.
Will reporting make the images public?
No. NCMEC's CyberTipline and the FBI handle these reports confidentially. NCMEC's Take It Down service can also remove intimate images of minors from participating platforms.
My child is being sextorted — what do I do?
Stop all contact, preserve evidence (screenshots, account URL, payment requests), call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or report at tips.fbi.gov. For minors, also report to CyberTipline.org. Most importantly: reassure them they did nothing wrong and are not in trouble.
How do I report a scam to GACS?
Submit the wallet address, website, phone number, or social handle at gacs.app. Each report is cross-checked against CryptoScamDB, URLhaus, and on-chain analysis before publication. Activate your free GACS Shield to monitor follow-on activity tied to the same actor.
Is the GACS Shield really free?
Yes. Activating your free Shield gives you unlimited scans, saved history, weekly alerts, and a watchlist — no card, no trial. There is no paid scanner tier.
Related scam profiles & guides
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Get My Free Scam AlertsAuthoritative sources
Independent primary sources used to check and corroborate the guidance on this page.
- FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
Official US channel for reporting internet-enabled fraud and cybercrime.
- US Federal Trade Commission — ReportFraud
Consumer fraud reporting and published enforcement data.
- UK Action Fraud
UK national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime.
- Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
Canada's central repository for fraud reports and scam alerts.
