Sextortion on Video Chat: What It Is and What to Do

1. Do not pay. Paying rarely stops the threats. It usually leads to more demands.
2. Do not send anything more. Not another image, not a video, not your contact details.
3. Stop replying. You do not need to explain or negotiate.
4. Keep the evidence. Before you block them, note or screenshot usernames, messages, payment details they gave you, and the date and time.
5. Block and report them on every platform they contacted you on. On TalkKiwi, use the Report button, or email [email protected].
6. Report it to the police. Sextortion is a crime in most countries.
7. Talk to someone you trust. You do not have to deal with this alone.

If you were under 18 in any image, or the person contacting you is a child, contact the authorities immediately, and see our Child Safety Policy.

Sextortion is blackmail using intimate images or recordings. Typically, someone builds trust quickly, often by pretending to be attractive and interested, then persuades the victim to undress or do something sexual on camera. They secretly record it, then threaten to send it to the victim’s friends, family or employer unless they pay.

Some scammers do not have any images at all. They simply claim they do, hoping fear will make you pay.

• Someone you just met is very flirtatious and pushes the conversation towards sex.
• They ask you to move quickly to another app or video platform.
• Their camera “does not work”, or their video looks pre-recorded.
• They ask you to undress or to show your face and body together.
• They ask for your social media, which they can use to find your friends and family.

On TalkKiwi, nudity and sexual requests are against the Community Rules, and likely nudity in a stranger’s video is blurred on your device. If anyone pushes you towards this, skip and report them.

• StopNCII.org helps adults stop intimate images from being shared on participating platforms, by creating a digital fingerprint of the image on your own device.
• Take It Down (takeitdown.ncmec.org) helps remove intimate images of people who were under 18 when the images were taken.
• Ask the platform. Most sites have a removal process. On TalkKiwi, see Copyright and content removal.

Many sextortion scammers move on when they do not get paid, because their goal is money. That is why not paying and cutting contact is the recommended response. If something is shared, the removal services above and the police can help.

• Never undress or do anything sexual on camera with someone you met online.
• Assume any video chat can be recorded.
• Keep your social media private and do not share it with strangers.
• Never send money to someone you have not met in person.
• Trust your instincts. If a chat feels wrong, press Next.

• Immediate danger: call your local emergency number.
• Emotional support: find a free, confidential helpline in your country at findahelpline.com. In the US, you can call or text 988.
• Report a crime: contact your local police or national cybercrime reporting service.

More resources are in our Safety Centre. Remember: it is not your fault, and you are not alone.