In our current digital world, cybercrime comes in many shapes and forms. One of the most common cyber crimes that take place every day is online blackmail.

In this article, we'll be discussing everything you need to know about online blackmail, including how you can become a victim of it, how you can deal with it, and how you can protect yourself from falling victim to online blackmail incidents.

What is Online Blackmail?

Online blackmail occurs when someone threatens to expose an individual's private information, images, or videos unless specific demands are met. These demands range from money transfers to other benefits. This threat is a distressing form of cyberbullying that affects people of all ages, but it is especially concerning when young individuals are involved.

Online blackmail is similar to regular blackmail, which is already a criminal offense punishable by law. The only difference here is that the entire act of blackmailing takes place in a virtual space, i.e.: different social media platforms.

Common Online Blackmail Methods

There are various ways an individual can be blackmailed online, which involves receiving threats in different aspects. The most common forms of threats include:

• Threats of violent acts against the target or their loved ones (friends, family, love interest, etc.)
• Threats of damage to personal property/any kind of physical/virtual assets
• Threats of releasing personal information that can ruin a person’s reputation
• Threats of releasing private financial information that anyone can exploit for personal gains

What Makes Online Blackmail Different from Traditional Extortion?

Traditional blackmailing takes place in person, and the threat is always directed at an individual. It’s not a public event, it’s more of a privatized threat.

On the other hand, online blackmail can take a lot of different forms, but they are not private in any way. Information on the internet can spread very quickly, and it can leak from anywhere. So when an event of online blackmail takes place, it becomes a public event within a short amount of time, because of how fast the leaked information can spread.

Online blackmailers are professional scammers who know their way around any personal security infrastructure to exploit them.

There can also be instances where a perpetrator makes a fake claim of having personal information when, in reality, they are just trying to scare you into fulfilling their demands.

How to Deal with Online Blackmail

In the event of online blackmail, it can be very difficult to keep yourself calm and make calculated decisions. But that is exactly what the perpetrators count on.

Here are the actions you should take immediately after finding out you are being blackmailed online:

Stop Engaging With The Blackmailer

When faced with online blackmail, the first step you should take is to eliminate all forms of communication with the blackmailer. This may seem like a simple step, but it's a crucial step nonetheless.

Because, every interaction you have with the blackmailer, whether it's through messages, emails, or any other means, gives them a sense of power and control, allowing them to believe they can manipulate and exploit you further. Eventually, their threats escalate into aggression, putting your well-being at risk.

However, eliminating all contact with the blackmailer disarms them, reducing the likelihood of further threats and manipulation from them. This action will empower you to regain control over your life and protect your privacy.

Start Saving All Communication As Evidence

When you're getting blackmailed online, every bit of evidence counts. Document every conversation, and capture screenshots of every interaction with the blackmailer. This includes all text messages, emails, or any other form of communication. These documents will act as a digital paper trail that can be invaluable in holding the perpetrator accountable.

You should also pay attention to any information that the blackmailer might have disclosed during your exchanges. This may include different usernames, email addresses, phone numbers, or any other identifying details. This information can be a critical asset in tracing and identifying the blackmailer.

Report The Incident To The Proper Authorities

After gathering enough evidence, you should contact law enforcement with all the evidence right away.

Typically, law enforcement agencies have a structured process to kickstart a case. You'll be asked to fill out a form with your personal details and submit all the necessary information that can be considered evidence.

After you've submitted the report, law enforcement will inform you about your rights as a victim and guide the recommended course of action. They will work to ensure that your well-being and safety are prioritized throughout the investigation.

Start Taking Steps To Prevent Further Blackmail

After you've informed all the authorities and taken the necessary steps to recover your stolen information, you should take adequate measures to prevent future instances of online blackmail, such as enhancing your online security, reviewing and adjusting privacy settings, learning more about common online blackmail tactics, such as sextortion, phishing emails, webcam blackmail, etc.

Preventing Future Online Blackmail Incidents

As the famous saying goes, prevention is always better than cure, and it can't be truer in the case of preventing future online blackmail incidents. Here are some steps you can apply to your daily lives to eliminate future online blackmail threats:

Enhance Online Security

Strengthening your online security is the first step towards protecting yourself against online blackmail risks. You can enhance your online security by limiting what information others can find about you online, using 2-factor authentication, using strong passwords, etc.

Remember to change your passwords regularly, use different passwords for different online platforms, and make your passwords strong and unique by utilizing a combination of upper & lowercase letters, numbers, and special symbols (!@#$%^&).

If you face any difficulty keeping track of all your passwords for all your online accounts, you can also use a password manager to save your password in complete privacy.

Be Mindful of Social Media Usage

Your personal information is the biggest weapon a hacker can use against you. Always share as little information about yourself as possible on social media. You can also set your profile to private so that potential hackers can’t collect information about you by connecting with you or contacting your online connections.

Don’t connect with anyone online unless you know them personally. If you’ve only met someone online, on dating sites, or on a Facebook page, refrain from sharing too much information with them, and don’t add them as a friend from the get-go.

Look Out for Common Scams

Sometimes online blackmailers resort to common bluffs to infiltrate the minds of their victims to bait them into a false sense of danger and exploit them.

Here are a couple of examples of scams that an online blackmailer might employ to scare their victims:

Bluff #1: Posing As Entities From A Government Organization

In some instances, the hacker will pose as an employee or a higher-up from any government agency or law enforcement organization, such as the FBI or the IRS.

They will contact a victim to let them know that they are placing a charge against the victim, and to prevent themselves from getting arrested, they need to pay a certain fee. However, the payment must be done in cryptocurrency or other payment methods that are harder to trace.

This is a complete bluff for an obvious reason. If you’re someone who hasn’t performed any illegal activities, threats like these should be completely pointless to you.

Aside from that, if the law enforcement agency has tangible evidence against you for any activities, they will arrest you regardless of whether you comply with the law, and they do not accept any kind of payment to revert the accusation.

Bluff #2: Claiming To Plant Malware For Spying

A hacker may contact a victim to let them know that the hacker has planted malicious code or software within their system that has helped the hacker gain information about the victim visiting illegal websites, or recording explicit content through their webcams.

The easiest way to call the blackmailer out is if you don't have a webcam or have never visited any kind of illegal website.

Opt-Out of Data Broker Sites

Data broker websites gather personal information about individuals and sell that data to the highest bidders. They collect an astonishing amount of data about anyone they get their hands on.

Data brokers can collect these pieces of information when you are using third-party apps that have a sneaky way of making you accept their terms and conditions that say that you consent to let them use your information. That way, they steal your personal information without letting you know.

When your data is going through transactions in the hands of different parties, it is at great risk of being stolen and exposed for nefarious purposes. Sometimes, the brokers themselves use the personal information of others to exploit them.

To avoid this rising issue, your online profiles should only carry the necessary information. If you have opted out of any of these data broker sites, opt out of them right away. They collect your data and use it as well, all without your consent.

To Wrap It All Up

Anyone can be a victim of online blackmail at any time. If you ever feel threatened and feel the need for protection from cyber criminals for both you and your information, feel free to give the professionals at TechForing a call.

We will be happy to help you resolve the issue as soon as possible.

FAQs

What should I do if I become a victim of online blackmail involving sensitive information and sexual acts?

If you're blackmailed online, immediately contact your local law enforcement or local police.

How can I report online blackmail to the authorities, and why is it important?

You should report online blackmail to your local law enforcement for their assistance in addressing the situation. Timely reporting is essential to gather evidence and take legal action.

What steps should I take to collect evidence of online blackmail effectively?

Document all communication with the blackmailer, including messages and threats. Save screenshots, emails, and any relevant information.

Can my Internet service provider help me deal with online blackmail incidents?

While your Internet service provider can assist with technical issues, it's essential to contact law enforcement for legal matters.

Is it necessary to provide my Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN) to the blackmailer if they demand a payment?

Never share your Money Transfer Control Number or make payments to blackmailers. Instead, report the incident to law enforcement.

How can I determine if the threat of webcam blackmail is legitimate, and what should I do in such cases?

Verify the threat by assessing whether you have a webcam and if you've engaged in compromising activities on it. If not, it's likely a bluff.

Should I protect my social media accounts, including Facebook, from potential blackmailers, and how can I do that?

Yes, protect your social media accounts by using strong passwords, enabling privacy settings, and limiting the information you share.

Can I deal with online blackmail by reporting it on my relevant social media sites, like Facebook?

While you can report the issue on social media platforms, it's crucial to also report it to local law enforcement for a comprehensive response.

What can I do to safeguard my sensitive information while using dating sites and other online platforms?

Be cautious about sharing personal details and intimate images on dating sites. Limit the information you disclose to protect yourself.

Is it advisable to share my Facebook URL with a potential online blackmailer to negotiate or resolve the situation?

It is not advisable to engage with the blackmailer or share any personal information. The best course of action is to contact law enforcement to seek assistance and report the blackmail.