Understanding Sextortion: Steps to Take if You Get a Threatening Email or Message From a Common Scam

CHICAGO (WLS) — The ABC7 Chicago I-Team has an alert on sextortion.

It involves threatening letters delivered through email or direct message, claiming to have compromising videos, but they’re scams.

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The I-Team has obtained one of these messages that even some colleagues received.

The FBI says it’s affecting people of all ages across the Chicago area and the country.

Here’s what you should know if you are targeted.

An employee at ABC7 received a threatening email. The message included the employee’s home address and phone number, along with a claim of possessing an explicit video, demanding a payment to prevent its release.

The scammer says they used malware on pornographic sites to capture video of the victim watching.

“And I’ve got access to all of your emails, contacts, and social media accounts too,” the message said.

They then demand the victim pay up, or they will send everything.

The cost was 1,950 in Bitcoin.

“If you throw out a wide net, you’re more likely to catch more victims,” Chicago FBI Special Agent Ashley Kizler said.

Kizler says the FBI is seeing a surge in sextortion cases.

Scammers who engage in sextortion may be bluffing about having these videos. They might take screenshots from apps or even edit a victim’s face onto fabricated images.

“Often, we notice they place our victim’s faces on bodies that aren’t theirs, creating panic,” mentioned Kizler. “The best approach is to save any messages, gather any usernames or emails, and avoid responding.”

And no matter what you think they have on you, Kizler says never send money.

“The demand doesn’t stop once they know they’ve been able to get money from you the first time. They will probably attempt several more times,” Kizler said.

Sextortion has also become a growing threat to kids, often starting on seemingly innocent platforms.

“We’ve seen sextortion targeting minors, building rapport with a minor, not necessarily a teenager, then asking for illicit pictures,” Kizler said. “You need to have an open line of communication about this.”

She also says to go over a safety plan and tell them to not communicate with strangers online.

If you get a message like this, don’t respond. Save it, and report it to the FBI at IC3.gov, or contact local law enforcement.