Sextortion & Blackmail Scams
An email or text claims to have a webcam video of you and demands Bitcoin to keep it private.
Think a message like this reached you? You can check it right now.
What this scam is
A mass-sent blackmail scam. The sender claims they hacked your device or webcam and recorded you doing something private, then demands payment (usually Bitcoin) or they'll send the video to your contacts. In almost every case they have no such video — they're bluffing, often using an old password from a data breach to sound convincing.
What it usually looks like
- An email or text that opens with an old password of yours to scare you.
- Claims of malware on your device and a webcam recording.
- A demand for Bitcoin within 24-48 hours, or the 'video' goes to everyone you know.
Common warning signs
- A threat to expose a private video unless you pay.
- Payment demanded in cryptocurrency with a countdown.
- No actual proof is ever shown — just claims.
Example wording scammers use
“I recorded you through your webcam. Send $1,500 in Bitcoin within 48 hours or I send the video to all your contacts.”
These are illustrative examples written by ScamSplain, not real messages.
What the scammers want
- A fast, irreversible cryptocurrency payment out of fear and embarrassment.
What to do
- Don't pay and don't reply — paying marks you as a target for more.
- If a real password is shown, change it everywhere you used it and turn on two-factor authentication.
- Report it to the FBI's IC3 (ic3.gov) or the FTC.
What to do if you already responded
- Stop all contact and do not send more money.
- Secure your accounts with new passwords and two-factor authentication.
- Report it — you are not in trouble, and police have seen this many times.