Struggling With Sextortion And Blackmail On The Internet? Here's How To Deal With It Effectively.

Each form of fraud is terrible and each carries huge consequences. However, there are some that, in addition to the loss of money, bring with them enormous embarrassment, shame and fear of no one finding out about certain of our actions. Blackmail and sextortion - as they are referred to - are some of the cruellest forms of online violence. Find out what they are and how to protect yourself from them.

Blackmail and Sextortion - what are they?

Blackmail and sextortion are criminal activities that involve the use of non-consensual acts of coercion to gain some form of advantage over another person. Blackmail is an act wherein a person makes a threat to do something harmful, usually with the intent to obtain money or some other form of gain, while sextortion is when threats are used to coerce someone into providing sexual favours.

In simple terms, blackmail involves making threatening demands for money or other material possessions in exchange for freedom from harm, while sextortion involves making demands for sex or sexual activities in exchange for similar forms of security. Generally speaking, either form of extortion can be physical, psychological, or economic in nature.

The prevalence of blackmail and sextortion varies from country to country. Cases of sextortion reported to the UK's revenge porn helpline have grown exponentially within a year, becoming its primary focus for the first time. Last year alone saw 1,124 cases of reported sextortion – nearly doubling from 593 in 2020! And that is only part of the story - reports from victims suffering from intimate image abuse rose by a staggering 40%, increasing overall figures to 4,406. It is clear that more needs to be done towards preventing and protecting individuals against such malicious acts and campaigns.

The consequences of these crimes vary greatly depending on the severity and circumstances under which they take place. Generally speaking though, victims often experience short and long-term emotional distress as a result of being targeted - this can range from feelings of guilt and shame to more severe forms such as anxiety and depression. Victims may also suffer financially - whether they choose to comply with the extortionist’s demands or not – due to associated legal costs and fees.

In addition to these individual consequences, blackmail and sextortion have also been linked to larger societal issues such as organised crime gangs operating at large scale operations and even human trafficking rings that prey upon vulnerable individuals through coercive tactics.

As technology continues to evolve, so does these types of extortion practices - leading up greater numbers of victimization each year without much progress in bringing perpetrators to justice due the digital nature of their crimes.

Types of blackmail and sextortion

1. Extortion is the act of demanding money or blackmailing someone to do something against their will. It can be done in person, over the phone, online or via any other method.

2. Sextortion is a special type of extortion that uses sexual information or material as leverage to demand something from someone against their will. This can include the threat of posting private photos or videos online, coercing someone into performing sexual acts, or even threatening physical violence.

Sextortion can also be described colloquially as: webcam blackmail, web blackmail, web sextortion, online sextortion, cyber harassment, online harassment etc.

3. Cyber extortion is an increasingly common form of sextortion in which technology and the internet are used to facilitate blackmail and sextortion activities. Cyber-extortionists use social media, email and other digital tools to target potential victims with threats and demands for money, services or information. For example, they may threaten to release compromising photos or videos unless a ransom is paid, they may also send malware such as ransomware, worms and viruses that lock up data until a payment is made.

What are the consequences?

The consequences of cyber extortion are far reaching:

- victims may suffer financial losses if they pay a ransom;

- they could end up with damaged reputations due to the release of personal information;

- they may experience stress and anxiety related to the threats being made;

- shamed people take their own lives after being treated in this way.

Organizations need to be on alert for potential cyber extortion threats as well and should have security policies in place that address how staff should respond if targeted by an attack. Banks should also be aware that some criminals use cheque cashing services as part of their schemes – so it's important that staff are familiar with risk factors associated with this activity as well. Finally, if you're ever targeted by an extortion attempt, it's important not to give in any demands – contact law enforcement right away instead!

Strategies for protecting oneself from blackmail and sextortion.

Both blackmail and sextortion can take many forms. They may involve threats to reveal embarrassing secrets, or a demand for money in exchange for not releasing stolen images or videos. In some cases, the perpetrator will try to pressure the victim into being part of an online sexual relationship.

Regardless of how it's done, blackmail and sextortion are serious crimes. Victims may feel ashamed or embarrassed about the situation, which can make it difficult for them to report the crime. Additionally, perpetrators often use social media and other online platforms as part of their tactics, making it easier for them to reach victims anonymously and in increasingly sophisticated ways.

Criminals often use fake identity to befriend unsuspecting victims online, then entice them with the lure of an attractive woman to perform sexual acts in front of a webcam. These women may be pressured by means of threats or financial incentives, and their webcam videos are recorded by their devious manipulators who threaten to expose it to the victim's friends and family.

Fortunately, there are steps that people can take to protect themselves from becoming victims of blackmail and sextortion. It's important to be aware that anyone can be targeted, regardless of their gender, age, or other characteristics. Here are some tips for staying safe:

-Never send nude or sexually explicit photos or videos online.

-Be careful about who you share personal information with online.

-Be aware of the potential risks when communicating with strangers.

-If you receive a threat, it's important to take it seriously and report it to police as soon as possible.

-Make sure your computer is secure and up-to-date with the latest security patches and antivirus software.

By following these tips, you can reduce the risk of becoming a victim of blackmail or sextortion. When it comes to protecting yourself and your loved ones from this type of crime, knowledge is power. If you have any questions or concerns, be sure to speak with a qualified professional who can provide further information.

Where to report this crime?

It is always best to start by reporting the fraud to the police by calling 101 or Action Fraud on 03001232040. Then if you have made any transfers report it to your bank as soon as possible. It is also a good idea to change all passwords and accesses on the various platforms on the internet and to report the fraud to your internet service provider.

Remember to keep screenshots, your username, the page you used, Facebook URL or anything else that will allow you to trace the offender. Make sure your online memories and search history have not been deleted.

Even if a similar situation has happened to you and you feel embarrassed and ashamed - report it. Officials or police officers are not there to judge you. Only by cooperating with them will you be able to catch criminals, recover lost money and protect others.