Dealing with sexual extortion

Sexual extortion or ‘sextortion’ is a form of blackmail where someone threatens to share a nude or sexual image or video of you unless you give in to their demands.

It starts with something that seems casual – a DM, flirty chat, someone asking you to move to a private app and to share a nude or sexual photo. Then things can change quickly.

What felt casual can suddenly turn into pressure, threats and panic.

If this happens to you, take a breath and know this: it’s not your fault. It can happen to anyone and you’re not alone. You can report what’s happened, block contact, and get support.

Blackmailers usually give up when they realise you won’t pay and they’ll move onto their next target. But if they do share your intimate image or video online, you can report it to eSafety and we can help get it removed.

On this page: 

• What are the warning signs?
• How you can be blackmailed
• What should I do if I’m being blackmailed?
• What if I’ve already paid the blackmailer?
• More information

If someone is threatening you, don’t pay or send more money, gift cards, cryptocurrency, images or videos.

You don’t have to deal with this alone. Reach out to someone you trust or contact a confidential counselling and support service.

1. Collect evidence

Save a record of:

• all contact from the blackmailer, particularly their demands and threats
• how they contacted you – for example, the Facebook URL (web address) where the blackmailer sent you a threat or their usernames on Snapchat, Instagram and any other online platforms
• when they contacted you, including dates and times
• details about the blackmailer – for example, their bank account or phone number
• any reports you have made about the issue to any online platforms or to police. 

Taking screenshots or screen recordings, or photos of your screen with another device, is a quick and easy way to collect evidence. Include the threatening messages and blackmailer’s profile. Don’t send your images or videos to any other services.

Find out how to collect evidence, including how to take screenshots on a Mac, Windows PC, Apple devices or Android devices.

2. Report sexual extortion

• If you’re under 18, the best way to get help is to report it to the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE).  
• If you’re 18 years or older, report it to any platforms or services where the blackmailer contacted you. If your intimate image or video is shared, you can report it to eSafety.

3. Stop further contact, tighten security and prevent sharing

• After you have collected evidence, use in-app functions or your device settings to block the blackmailer and ask your friends to do the same.
• You can also temporarily deactivate your accounts to prevent the blackmailer harassing you (but don’t delete the accounts, as you may lose evidence that way).
• Review the privacy and security settings of your accounts to limit who can contact you. If you’ve been scammed, change the passwords for your social media and other online accounts. For more information about how to adjust settings on different apps, games, websites and online platforms and services, see The eSafety Guide.
• If someone claims to have hacked or accessed any of your accounts, find out how to protect your personally identifiable information.

4. Get more help

What you’re going through is not easy. Even when it’s over you may need more support. 

• Try contacting an expert counselling and support service, especially if you’re feeling anxious or depressed.
• Read our advice on how to manage the impacts of image-based abuse, including tips for taking care of your wellbeing.
• Scamwatch also has useful information about threats and extortion scams and false hacking claims.

If you transferred money from a bank account, contact your bank to see if they can help.

If you have paid by a money transfer, you may be able to cancel it if you act quickly.

These links provide information on how to cancel money transfers for international sites commonly used by blackmailers. 

• Cash App
• MoneyGram (if you live in Australia, call 1800 049 087 immediately)
• PayPal
• Remitly
• Venmo
• Western Union
• WorldRemit
• Zelle

• See how sextortion can unfold - a look at how situations can escalate and how it happens.
• Supporting young people - advice for parents, carers, educators and professionals supporting young people.
• Learn more about image-based abuse, as well as tailored advice about sexual extortion in the Young People and First Nations sections of the website.
• eSafety’s position statement about sexual extortion, and our research papers about sexual extortion of adolescents and image-based abuse.