The sextortion scam on WhatsApp is a form of online blackmail where scammers threaten to share intimate images or videos of the victim unless a ransom is paid. This scam typically begins when the victim receives an unsolicited message on WhatsApp from an unknown number. The scammer claims to have compromising photos or videos of the victim and demands payment to prevent the images from being shared publicly. While the scammer may have some personal information about the victim, they rarely possess any actual intimate media. The threats are intended to scare the victim into paying out of fear and embarrassment.
How does the WhatsApp sextortion scam work?
The scam typically operates in the following manner:
- The scammer obtains the victim’s phone number, likely through a data breach or by purchasing records on the dark web.
- The scammer messages the victim out of the blue on WhatsApp, claiming to have explicit photos or videos of the victim.
- The scammer tries to scare the victim into believing they have actual recordings of them in compromising situations.
- The scammer demands payment, usually in the form of Bitcoin or gift card redemption codes, within 24-48 hours to prevent the alleged material from being shared.
- The scammer may send cropped or edited images to seem more credible, but these are usually fake.
- If payment is not received, the scammer continues harassing the victim and may share the images or recordings publicly or with the victim’s contacts.
By leveraging personal information and making false claims, the scammers aim to convince victims that their threats are real. Their demands for quick payment coupled with threats of exposure create high-pressure situations where victims may compliant out of fear and shame.
What information do the scammers have?
In most cases, the scammers have very little actual personal information about the victims. Some of the details they may know or claim to know include:
- Name
- Phone number
- Location
- Email or social media handles
- Old passwords
- Partial contacts list
With just a handful of personal details, the scammers try to convince victims they have access to much more sensitive and compromising material. The scammers will threaten to send explicit videos to the victim’s contacts or post the footage online. However, in reality, the scammers rarely possess any such material.
Are the explicit images real?
In the vast majority of sextortion cases on WhatsApp, the explicit photos or videos do not exist at all. The scammers are simply trying to extort money by making fake claims and threats. Some signs that alleged compromising content is fake include:
- The images are cropped or only show partial views
- The footage is fragmented or low quality
- The scammer refuses to show the full video
- The victim has no memory or record of taking such photos/videos
- The scammer cannot provide context or details about the alleged material
On very rare occasions, scammers may have accessed some legitimate intimate media, possibly through hacking cloud storage or social media accounts. But in most WhatsApp sextortion scams, any images or videos in question are fabricated by the scammers to extort money.
Who is vulnerable to the WhatsApp extortion scam?
While anyone can fall prey to the sextortion scam on WhatsApp, certain demographics tend to be targeted more frequently, including:
- Younger adults – Those in their 20s and 30s who are more likely to have used social media and smartphones to share intimate imagery.
- Men – Men are disproportionately affected, although women also receive such scams.
- Affluent individuals – Wealthier targets are seen as more able to pay the demanded ransoms.
- Public figures – Individuals with prominent online profiles like politicians, celebrities, executives.
However, even cautious individuals can be exploited by these scammers. The combination of personal information and threats of exposure can be persuasive, especially to those lacking experience with online extortion tactics.
How much money do victims pay?
Sextortion scammers on WhatsApp typically demand ransoms between $500 to $1000, payable through Bitcoin, gift cards, or wire transfers. Some statistics on average payment amounts include:
| Payment Method | Average Ransom |
|---|---|
| Bitcoin | $540 |
| Gift Cards | $670 |
| Wire Transfer | $910 |
In addition to the initial demand, scammers may request progressively higher payments over time. The WhatsApp platform makes it easy for scammers to repeatedly contact victims and send threatening messages. Paying any amount rarely stops the extortion attempts.
How prevalent is the WhatsApp sextortion scam?
Sextortion scams on WhatsApp and other platforms are on the rise globally. Some statistics on the growth of this scam include:
- 1.4 million cases reported worldwide in 2022, up 60% from 2021.
- 140,000 cases reported in the U.S. in 2022 alone.
- $11 million+ paid out in ransoms globally in 2022.
- Upwards of 50 scam messages per month received by individuals in some regions.
WhatsApp is a favored platform for scammers because of its widespread use and encrypted communications that evade filters and detection. The ability to quickly reach and repeatedly message victims provides fertile ground for broad extortion campaigns.
Why do victims pay the ransom?
There are several reasons why recipients of the WhatsApp sextortion scam may end up paying the demanded ransoms:
- Fear – Victims believe the threats to share footage will be carried out, causing embarrassment.
- Shame – Victims feel humiliation at the thought of nude media being leaked.
- Relationship concerns – Victims worry intimate videos will impact current relationships.
- Reputation worries – Public figures fear damage to their reputations.
- Privacy concerns – Victims want to keep the material private at any cost.
- Skepticism – Victims are unsure if the threats are real and would rather be safe.
By targeting common fears and emotions like shame and uncertainty, the scammers increase their chances of coercing funds from recipients. Many victims decide paying a ransom is preferable to potential exposure or consequences.
Are there any real consequences if victims do not pay?
In nearly all cases, there are no meaningful consequences for victims who refuse to pay the extortion demands. The scammers rarely possess any actual private media and are unlikely to follow through on threats if no money is received. Possible outcomes of non-payment include:
- The scammer may continue sending harassing messages, but will eventually move on once no payment is forthcoming.
- The scammer may share fake or deceptively edited images that are not authentic.
- The scammer could threaten to or actually share your phone number or other basic details.
- In very rare cases, some limited legitimate personal data may be leaked.
However, the risk of any meaningful damage or consequences from refusing payment remains extremely low. Most victims who ignore the demands or block the sender face no further issues.
How can WhatsApp users avoid the sextortion scam?
Here are some tips to help WhatsApp users avoid falling prey to sextortion scams:
- Be wary of any messages demanding payment or threatening reputation harm.
- Do not open links or files from any unknown sender.
- Enable two-factor authentication on your WhatsApp account.
- Carefully review WhatsApp’s privacy settings and limit visibility.
- Never share compromising photos or videos with strangers.
- Block unknown users who initiate contact with threats or demands.
- Report suspected scam accounts/messages to WhatsApp.
- Notify contacts of any potential extortion scams to prevent spread.
Exercising caution around unknown senders and understanding common tactics can help users avoid manipulation and prevent scams from succeeding.
What should victims of the scam do?
If you have received a sextortion scam message on WhatsApp, these actions are recommended:
- Remain calm and avoid reacting out of immediate fear or shame.
- Block the sender’s account/number and report them to WhatsApp.
- Do not engage with or reply to the scammer.
- Do not delete the messages to preserve evidence.
- Contact friends or authorities to discuss the situation before deciding how to proceed.
- Change passwords and enable two-factor authentication if credentials may be compromised.
Carefully considering all options and not reacting impulsively to threats or demands can protect against making the situation worse or losing money.
Can victims report the sextortion scam to authorities?
Victims of the WhatsApp sextortion scam are encouraged to report the incident to relevant authorities, including:
- WhatsApp – Report the scammer’s account and messages through in-app reporting tools.
- IC3 – File a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.
- Local police – File a report about the extortion threats and demands.
- FBI – Contact the FBI cyber crimes division with evidence of the scam.
Reporting these scams helps authorities track down scammers, build cases against them, and develop resources to combat online sextortion. The more victims who speak up, the better chance law enforcement has to stop these activities.
Conclusion
The sextortion scam on WhatsApp involves scammers sending victims threatening messages claiming to have explicit photos or videos while demanding payment to prevent their release. These scams exploit fear and embarrassment to extort funds, typically through hard-to-trace methods like Bitcoin or gift cards. By understanding common tactics and likely falsehoods in these scams, WhatsApp users can avoid becoming vulnerable to manipulation and potential loss of money or privacy. Caution should be exercised around any unknown users initiating contact through intimidation or financial demands. Victims should also feel empowered to report scammers to WhatsApp, law enforcement, and other authorities to help curb this abusive practice.