Financial motivated extortion (sextortion): just the facts

What is Financial Motivated Extortion?

Financial Motivated Extortion (sometimes referred to as ‘Sextortion’) is a type of online blackmail. This is when someone threatens to share sexual/indecent images of you unless you pay them or do something you don’t want to for their benefit.

Although Financial Motivated Extortion can happen to anyone at any age, it is most common in young people (particularly males) between the ages of 14-18. When it happens to a young person, it is a form of child sexual exploitation and is illegal.

Signs of Financial Motivated Extortion

Criminals who are a part of Financial Motivated Extortion are usually experienced and will pose as other people who aren’t real. You may receive a friend request from them on a social media platform. Some of the typical signs include:
• They might be quite intense a friendship/relationship with you very quickly
• They may encourage the topic of conversation to be sexual
• They may be flirty and send you sexual / indecent images first
• They may be pushy and repeatedly ask you to do things you aren’t comfortable with. This is not ok and you don’t need to do anything you don’t want to
• They may tell you they’ve hacked your device and taken images without your consent

These are some common signs of Financial Motivated Extortion but these signs can vary. The offender can also be someone you know.

How can I prevent being a victim of Financial Motivated Extortion?

It’s important to keep yourself safe online. Some ways of doing this include:

• Remember that unless you actually know a person in real life, they could be made up
• If you feel uncomfortable speaking to someone, end the conversation
• Be aware of your digital footprint. Anything that is shared online will leave a trail. This means that images and videos can be shared with other people and can remain on the internet
• Be aware of the laws associated with taking sexual/indecent images of yourself and sharing these with others. Click here to learn more
• Don’t open attachments from people you don’t know
• Check your privacy settings on social media. Criminals are less likely to target you if they can’t see who your friends and family are
• Keeping your device up to date including antivirus technology. This will help keep you safe from hackers

Click here to learn more about staying safe online.

How do I know if I’m a victim of Financial Motivated Extortion?

If someone is threatening to share sexual/indecent images of you unless you pay them or do something for them, you are a victim of Financial Motivated Extortion. It does not matter if an image was shared with your consent or without your consent (manipulation, hacking or threats) this is not ok and is illegal. The misuse of your image is not your fault. If you are a victim of Financial Motivated Extortion, we know it can be really embarrassing to tell someone about this but nothing is too big for people to not be able to help you.

What to do if you’re a victim of Financial Motivated Extortion

• Speak to a trusted adult. This may be your parents, your teacher or a family member
• Do not respond to the offender’s request. If you pay them, they will likely ask for more and the blackmail will continue
• Screenshot all conversations. This may be used as evidence
• End all communication immediately. You can do this by blocking the offender. It may be helpful to change your passwords too
• Contact the police
It’s important to remember that you are a victim and it’s not your fault. Help and support is always available.

How to get help

If you have any more questions on this area or would like to speak to somebody about this topic, have a look at the links or search for your local services in the blue box below. Alternatively, you can always contact your school nurse.

• w: Childline- Staying Safe Online
  
• w: ThinkUKnow
  
• w: Victim Support - Sextortion