Blackmail with nude photos has increased due to the proliferation of online and social media platforms. How perpetrators of sextortion operate – and how you can protect yourself.
Being blackmailed with nude photos is a nightmare for many – and is becoming increasingly common in the digital age. This online scam is called sextortion and is a portmanteau of the words “sex” and “extortion.”The scammers’ tactics: They meet their victims on social media platforms or online dating portals. During video calls, the victims are asked to undress and perform sexual acts on themselves. The perpetrators take screenshots or video recordings of the activity. The recordings are then used to blackmail the victims.As the
Hesse State Criminal Police Office explained to ZDFheute, blackmail with a pornographic background in particular leads victims to comply with ransom demands out of fear of the consequences.
Study: Sextortion among the top three threats on the Internet
According to a study by the Federal Office for Information Security, sextortion was among the top three internet threats in Germany in 2023. The Hesse State Criminal Police Office reports mid-three-digit cases for 2022, and low-three-digit cases for 2023 and 2024.However, there are no exact nationwide figures, according to the Federal Criminal Police Office in response to a ZDFheute inquiry. While police crime statistics do list cases of sexually motivated blackmail, they include a wide range of criminal acts of blackmail. Ulrich Warncke, prevention officer for the White Ring Hessen, explains:
Organized gangs from abroad are often behind sextortion.“
Ulrich Warncke, White Ring HesseAt the same time, there are also cases in which people are blackmailed by their ex-partners with so-called “revenge porn.”
Prevention: How to protect yourself from sextortion
“First and foremost, you should be cautious and vigilant,” says Warncke. “If you’re in contact with someone online, it’s not normal to exchange pictures directly,” Warncke says. The Hesse State Criminal Police Office also advises against sending intimate pictures and videos via social networks.
On social media, users should not accept friend requests from strangers. They should also withhold personal information such as their full name, age, and address. Since perpetrators often record their victims during video calls, the Hesse State Criminal Police Office recommends covering the camera if in doubt. This allows the situation to be observed first.There are also warnings about malware that allows perpetrators to activate webcams. This allows the victim to be filmed at any time. To protect yourself against this, up-to-date operating systems and virus protection should be installed on mobile phones, laptops, and tablets.
Education by parents, in schools and social networks
Since sextortion victims are often minors, parents also have a role to play. “Ideally, parents and children have a trusting relationship and can talk about such topics. Especially with young children, parents should always check in,” says Warncke. Media literacy is important for both children and parents.
Be open to your children’s online problems. Also be interested in their virtual friends.“
State Criminal Police Office HesseSearch engines for children are also useful because they ensure comprehensive protection of minors, according to the LKA Hessen.
Warncke explains that the topic also needs to be taught in
schools , and that warnings on social media must also be posted. Because: “As long as sextortion is a taboo subject, it’s fine for the perpetrators.”
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What to do in case of blackmail
Out of shame, victims of sextortion often don’t report to the police. However, according to Warncke, filing a report is very important so that the police have a chance to track down the perpetrators. “The perpetrators are constantly evolving their tactics. The police need to be aware of this in order to be more successful in the fight against sextortion,” explains Ulrich Warncke. For investigations, chat histories with the blackmailers should be saved as screenshots.
Offers of help against sextortion
In addition to the police, counseling centers like the
White Ring are available to assist victims. “We accompany victims to the police and can then connect them with other support services, such as therapists,” says Ulrich Warncke, prevention officer for the White Ring Hessen. Other reporting centers—also for parents—include
The Hesse State Criminal Police Office advises victims not to send any payments to the extortionists. The first demand is usually followed immediately by another. Furthermore, the operators of online platforms should be contacted and any relevant content reported. Contact with the extortionists should be severed.
is an American author, blogger, and cybersecurity specialist based in Florida. He developed an interest in writing during his school years, which later led him to create content aimed at raising awareness about various forms of online scams, particularly in the world of online dating.
On his platform, Scam Service Report, Hall shares analytical articles and practical advice to help users recognize and avoid traps set by scammers on dating websites. He describes common scam scenarios in detail—such as quick declarations of love, urgent requests for money transfers, refusal to engage in video chats, and attempts to move conversations off the dating platform.
