Report sextortion

Online blackmail, also known as sextortion, is when someone threatens to share private sexual images/videos of you unless you do something for them (share more photos or pay a ransom).

In most cases, the offender will meet the victim online using a false identity and persuade them to complete sexual acts in front of their webcam or camera. The images are recorded by the offenders who then threaten to share the images with the victim’s friends and family unless a payment or further images are shared.

In the majority of cases, offenders are based overseas and use the internet to access a large number of victims very quickly.

Report sextortion

If you have been a victim of sextortion, or have been accused of sextortion, you can report it:

• by phone –  call 101.

Support for victims of sextortion

Read our guidance for victims of sextortion.