Understanding Sextortion: Rising Threats and Prevention Strategies

In 2025, we are constantly being exposed to a range of cyber threats. Among these, sextortion stands out as a particularly malicious form. This term, a blend of 'sex' and 'extortion', refers to a type of cybercrime where victims are blackmailed with the threat of exposing their nude images or porn videos or any kind of explicit graphics. Regrettably, as our dependence on the internet increases and our lifestyles become more intertwined with the digital realm, incidents of sextortion have seen an alarming rise.

Sextortion, a form of cybercrime where individuals are coerced into providing explicit content under threat of exposure, has led to significant financial losses, operational disruptions, and reputational damage.

• Between October 2021 and March 2023, the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations received over 13,000 reports of online financial sextortion of minors, involving at least 12,600 victims and leading to at least 20 suicides.
• In North Carolina, from 2022 to 2023, the FBI Charlotte Field Office observed a 20% increase in reports of financially motivated sextortion cases, indicating a growing operational challenge for law enforcement agencies.
• In 2022, a sextortion scheme led to the tragic suicide of 17-year-old Jordan DeMay in Michigan, drawing significant media attention and highlighting the severe reputational and societal impacts of such cybercrimes.

In this blog, we’ll explore how sextortion works, real-world cases, and effective strategies to prevent these attacks.

What is Sextortion?

Sextortion is a form of sexual extortion where criminals threaten to share nude or sexual images or videos of victims unless they comply with demands, such as paying money, sending more explicit content, or performing sexual acts. This crime exploits fear and shame, often leaving victims feeling isolated. In recent years, cases have surged, with reports to organizations like Cybertip.ca tripling since 2022. Understanding sextortion’s tactics, red flags, and protective measures is critical to staying safe online.

How Sextortion Works

Criminals often display predictable patterns in sextortion scenarios. They typically masquerade as trustworthy individuals or potential romantic partners, duping victims into sending explicit content. A 2021 study by the UK's National Crime Agency highlighted this, with over 40% of reported sextortion cases involving manipulative tactics to gain the trust of victims.

The stark reality is that sextortion isn't just a cybercrime; it's a deeply personal attack that leaves victims dealing with significant emotional and financial repercussions. Recognizing these risks is a crucial first step in safeguarding oneself and others against sextortion.

Criminals use sophisticated tactics to manipulate victims:

1. Fake Profiles & Catfishing: Offenders pose as attractive individuals on social media (e.g., Instagram, Snapchat) to build trust quickly. They may share fake nude photos first, then pressure victims to reciprocate.
2. Webcam Blackmail: Victims are recorded during intimate video calls, often under false pretenses. The footage is later used for extortion.
3. Hacking Threats: Perpetrators claim to have hacked devices or accounts, using stolen passwords to intimidate victims into paying.
4. Financial Demands: Most sextortionists targeting boys demand money via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or bank transfers. Girls are often pressured for additional sexual content.

Red Flags to Watch For Sextortion

• Unsolicited explicit messages or rapid emotional attachment from strangers.
• Requests to move conversations to private platforms (e.g., WhatsApp).
• Threats to leak images to family, friends, or schools.

Real-World Sextortion Examples

Sextortion cases have skyrocketed, with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) reporting over 456,000 incidents in 2024 alone. Financial sextortion, often orchestrated by international crime rings, preys on teenage boys through platforms like Instagram. Tragically, victims like Jordan DeMay have died by suicide after relentless harassment.

Below is a list of five real-world sextortion scams, each with brief details to illustrate their impact and methods:

• Jordan DeMay Case: A 17-year-old from Michigan was coerced by Nigerian scammers posing as a girl on Instagram to send explicit images, leading to his suicide in March 2022 after demands for $1,000.
• Gavin Guffey Case: A 17-year-old from South Carolina was sextorted by a Nigerian man, Hassanbunhussein Abolore Lawal, resulting in his suicide in July 2022 after threats to release compromising images.
• Automated Scam with Home Photos: Victims receive emails with photos of their homes, threatening to expose explicit images unless they pay in Bitcoin, as warned by New York State Police and Snoqualmie Police.
• James F. Connor V Case: A 20-year-old from Pennsylvania was convicted for cyberstalking and extorting a Boston-area college student by threatening to release her explicit images, sentenced in 2016.
• Tevan Tobler Case: A 16-year-old from Utah committed suicide in September 2017 after being blackmailed by a predator posing as a woman on social media, leading to community education efforts.

Key Sextortion Statistics and Trends

Here are some key sextortion statistics and trends that highlight the growing threat of sextortion:

• The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) has observed a significant increase in sextortion cases globally.
• In 2024, they received an average of 812 reports of sextortion per week, marking a substantial rise from previous years.
• Notably, male teenagers aged 14-17 are among the primary victims due to high internet usage and vulnerability. ​
• In the UK, the IWF reported a 2,600% increase in sextortion cases involving girls in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, indicating that perpetrators are increasingly targeting younger victims and females. ​

What to Do If You’re Targeted

If you or someone you know faces sextortion:

1. Stop Communication Immediately: Block the perpetrator and avoid paying or sending more content. Compliance rarely stops threats.
2. Preserve Evidence: Take screenshots of messages, profiles, and demands for reporting.
3. Report to Authorities: Contact local law enforcement. File a report with NCMEC’s CyberTipline or Take It Down to remove explicit content.
4. Seek Support: Confide in trusted adults or contact helplines like Kids Helpline (for under 25s) or Lifeline (for adults).

Organizations like ProtectChildren.ca and Saprea offer specialized guidance for victims.

Prevention Tips

• Strengthen Privacy Settings: Limit who can contact you on social media.
• Avoid Sharing Explicit Content: Even with trusted individuals—once shared, control is lost.
• Educate Youth: Programs like NetSmartz teach digital safety to recognize grooming tactics.
• Use Strong Passwords & Two-Factor Authentication: Protect accounts from hacking attempts.

Resources for Victims

• Global Support: InHope Network connects victims to local helplines.
• Content Removal: Report Remove helps minors remove non-consensual images.
• Legal Aid: Agencies like the FBI and National Crime Agency investigate cross-border cases.

Keepnet Human Risk Management to Prevent Sextortion

Sextortion thrives on silence. By recognizing red flags, securing online activity, and seeking help early, victims can reclaim control. Platforms like Keepnet Human Risk Management amplify prevention efforts by addressing the human element of cybersecurity. Through security awareness training, Keepnet educates individuals and organizations on identifying sextortion tactics, such as phishing attempts, fake profiles, and social engineering. Interactive phishing simulations teach users to spot red flags, avoid sharing sensitive content, and report threats swiftly.

By fostering a culture of vigilance, Keepnet’s training empowers people to disrupt sextortion schemes before they escalate. Pairing this knowledge with strong privacy practices significantly reduces risks.

Editor's Note: This blog was updated on March 11, 2025.