Sexting Scams: What to Do If You’re a Victim

If you’re reading this, you may have experienced one of the worst feelings imaginable: finding out your intimate photos or videos are in the hands of a scammer threatening to ruin your life. As an intake specialist at Minc Law who has helped countless of victims of sexting scams, I want you to know three important things: you are not alone, it’s not your fault, and there are steps you can take right now to protect yourself legally and emotionally.

A sexting scam is a cruel form of blackmail where someone online tricks you into sharing nude or sexual images/videos before threatening to send the content to others unless you pay them. If this happens to you:

1. Stop all communication with the scammer immediately
2. Report the scam to the online platform and authorities
3. Collect evidence with screenshots but don’t engage
4. Reach out for professional legal and emotional help.

What Is a Sexting Scam?

A sexting scam, also known as sextortion, is a situation when the perpetrator manipulates the victim into sharing nude or sexually explicit photos or videos. Then, they threaten to distribute that content to the victim’s social network unless the victim pays money or meets other demands.

Sexting scammers are skilled at preying on people’s desires for connection and intimacy. They often target victims on dating apps, social media, or webcam sites. The scammer usually poses as an attractive stranger and strikes up a flirtatious conversation to build trust. Once they receive compromising content from the victim, they show their true colors and make threats.

How Do I Know If I’m Being Scammed?

• The person requests nude photos or videos very quickly after connecting, often within the first few messages
• They send unsolicited explicit content and pressure you to reciprocate
• The scammer’s profile looks suspicious because it contains few photos, generic info, or a recent creation date
• They ask you to move the conversation to a private platform like Snapchat, Skype, or WhatsApp
• The person makes threats after receiving your content and demands payment
• They claim to be under 18 after exchanging sexual content to scare you
• Your gut tells you something is wrong about this person or interaction

I’m a Victim of a Sexting Scam. What Do I Do Now?

1. Stop communicating with the scammer immediately. Don’t respond to their threats or send more content.
2. Block the scammer’s profile on all relevant social media platforms, dating apps, email, etc.
3. Go to the privacy settings of your accounts and ensure they’re set to the highest level. Consider temporarily deactivating or privatizing your accounts so scammers can’t identify your contacts.
4. Take screenshots of your conversations with the scammer on all platforms. Make sure the screenshots show their profile name and any key information disclosed. This evidence will be important for reporting the scam and engaging in potential legal action.
5. Report the scammer’s profile and any conversations to the relevant platforms. Most social media sites and dating apps have an option to flag content as abusive/blackmail.
6. Resist any urge to pay the requested amount of money or meet the scammer’s demands. Giving in often leads to escalating threats and continued extortion. Stand firm in not engaging.
7. Contact law enforcement to report the situation. Sexting scams are a crime. While the scammer may be overseas, making prosecution difficult, it’s still important to have the incident on record. You can fill out an IC3 Report on the FBI’s website so they may work to track the scammer. They will not reach out to you directly about your case, but will rather work behind the scenes.
8. Lean on trustworthy friends, family, or a therapist for emotional support. Remember the scammer’s actions are not your fault. You will get through this.

A crucial part of responding to sexting scams is acting quickly but carefully. Impulsive reactions like lashing out at the scammer or immediately paying them will often make the situation worse. By methodically gathering evidence, reporting to authorities, and refusing to engage further, you can protect yourself and work towards a resolution.

What Are the Legal Implications of Sexting Scams?

Sexting scams are not only unethical and emotionally traumatizing – they are illegal. Perpetrators are engaging in criminal acts that may violate various state and federal cyber laws.

Federal and State Laws

At the federal level, the scammer may be violating the interstate communications statute (18 U.S.C. § 875(d)) by transmitting threats across state lines to extort money or something of value from the victim. The nature of their demands – such as requiring sexually explicit images from minors – could implicate other federal sexual exploitation and child pornography laws.

Many states also have their own cyber harassment and revenge porn statutes that criminalize the non consensual sharing of intimate images. For example, California’s penal code 647(j)(4) makes it illegal to intentionally distribute nude images of another identifiable person when the parties understood the image would remain private, the person distributing knows or should know the distribution would cause emotional distress, and the depicted persons actually suffers that distress.

When sexting scams veer into threats of violence or reputational harm if demands aren’t met, it crosses the line into criminal extortion in most jurisdictions. Extortion is often graded as a felony-level offense.

How We Handle Sexting Cases For Our Clients

At Minc Law, we help sexting scam victims explore their legal options for holding perpetrators accountable. This process often begins with creating an evidence portfolio of screenshots and profile information to build a compelling case. Then, we can assist in making a formal report to appropriate law enforcement agencies and regulatory bodies like the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.

For some clients, we also discuss the potential of pursuing civil tort claims like intentional infliction of emotional distress to seek monetary damages from the perpetrator. We’ve even represented clients in obtaining restraining orders against their sextortionists to prevent further contact or content sharing.

We understand the sensitive nature of sexting scam cases and always work to protect our clients’ privacy and reputation. Your communications with us are safeguarded by attorney-client privilege. We operate with the highest level of discretion so you can feel comfortable sharing the full context of your situation and getting the tailored guidance you deserve.

How Can I Get Photos/Videos Removed Once Leaked?

Even if you’ve followed the steps of refusing to pay a scammer and ceasing contact, they may still choose to act on threats to post your intimate content. While this nightmare scenario feels overwhelming, there are strategies available to get your photos and videos removed from the internet.

First, document where exactly the content is posted. For images shared on social media or forums, report the content as a violation of the platform’s policies. Most sites expressly prohibit the non consensual sharing of nude or sexual content.

If the content is posted on a standalone website, identify the site’s hosting provider and file a DMCA takedown request. Under the federal Digital Millennium Copyright Act, you can assert your copyright over self-taken images shared without consent. Web hosts must promptly remove infringing content to avoid liability.

For images that appear in Google search results, you can submit a request to remove non-consensual explicit or personal information. Be prepared to submit screenshots and URLs documenting the nonconsensual content.

Unfortunately, getting intimate content fully scrubbed from the internet often feels like an exhausting game of whack-a-mole. At Minc Law, we offer a reputation and privacy protection service to monitor the web for your name and suspicious content. We then implement a comprehensive removal strategy to get your intimate photos and videos de-indexed and deleted from dozens of sites and databases.

If the sextortion situation has escalated to your content being leaked, we are here to help you efficiently and thoroughly remove that content to regain your privacy and peace of mind. You don’t have to track down every reposted image alone.

Even if your scammer does share your photos or videos, remember that this violation is not a reflection of your character. You can work to contain the spread and mitigate the harm to your wellbeing and reputation.

How Do I Cope with the Emotional Fallout?

Being targeted by a sexting scam is an incredibly violating experience that can leave you spinning. Many victims report feelings of fear, anger, betrayal, shame, and hopelessness. This psychological toll cannot be understated.

It’s critical to show yourself compassion as you process the emotional impact of this crime. Your feelings are valid and this period of distress does not mean you are beyond healing. What the scammer did is not your fault or responsibility.

Reach out to a close friend or family member you trust. Share what you’re experiencing and lean on your support system. Sometimes just naming what happened takes away some of its isolating power. Let your loved ones build you back up.

If you’re struggling to function due to the emotional fallout, contact a mental health professional. Process the situation with a counselor who specializes in online sexual abuse or trauma. Speaking with an objective expert can help reframe your inner narrative around the scam in a healthier way.

Focus on self-care activities that make you feel grounded and in control. Get out in nature, move your body, journal your feelings, create art – do what nourishes your spirit. This may also be a useful time to unplug from social media and reconnect with offline hobbies.

Above all else, be patient with yourself. Healing from this kind of intimate crime is a process. Your path forward may not be linear and that’s okay. Trust that you have the strength to overcome this dark chapter.

If you are feeling overwhelmed by the emotional weight, contact one of these 24/7 support hotlines to speak with a trained crisis counselor:

• Crisis Text Line : Text “HOME” to 741741
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline : 1-800-273-8255
• RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline : 1-800-656-4673

You’re Not Alone: Legal Help for Sextortion Victims

If you’re the victim of a sexting scam, it’s critical to remember that you’re not alone and you have options. There are steps you can take to regain a sense of control over this situation.

Most importantly, know that the shame and fault lie squarely with the perpetrator – not you. You did nothing to deserve this violation of your privacy and trust.

At Minc Law, we’re here to help you explore your legal options and work towards holding scammers accountable. Our experienced internet attorneys can guide you through every step of the process with compassion, discretion, and tireless advocacy.

You don’t have to navigate this difficult situation alone. Reach out today to initiate a confidential consultation to learn how we can help you take back your peace of mind. Together, we will work to protect your reputation and obtain justice.