Instagram Nude Blackmail – What You Need to Do

People from all walks of life are being targeted for blackmail on all platforms available on the web. This has become a growing issue large enough that platforms such as Instagram have noticed the rise of cybercrimes being played out through their platform and have listed warnings to users through their safety centers. The majority of victims do not know how to handle such crimes and act in fear and anger which can cause more harm in this type of situation. If you are a victim of Instagram Nude Blackmail, keep reading to find out what you need to do to help put an end to this cybercrime.

What is Photo Blackmail and how does it work?

Online Blackmail in general is the action of demanding payment or another benefit from someone in return for not revealing compromising or damaging information or content about them. In this case, nude photos. 

When a person is being blackmailed for their nude photos, it is called online sextortion.

How this type of crime works is a sextortionist will disguise themselves through a catfish Instagram account and reach out to a person to spark up a flirtatious conversation and try to establish a sexual and/or emotional relationship.

Once a connection is formed, they coerce their victims into sending explicit content and then blackmail them into sending thousands of dollars so their nude photos aren’t exposed online.  

Instagram Nude Blackmail – How to protect yourself 

Most blackmailers look for and prey on victims through the web, especially social media outlets including Instagram, and even dating apps and websites.

These predators tend to go after any online platform that is very popular because that gives them a greater chance in luring a potential victim. This is why it’s so important to learn how to keep your online presence safe from any potential cyber criminals.

Here are some tips you can use to make sure you are protected from any potential blackmail. 

• Keep strong privacy settings. Try to update and implement strong privacy settings on all of your social media accounts. 
• Limit the amount of personal information. It is smart to limit the amount of personal information you share about yourself on your profiles. Blackmailers will use everything they find about you to coerce you into their trap and expose you using that information. 
• Be aware of whom you speak to online. It is so important that you are cautious of whom you talk to and what you share about yourself with strangers online. If they seem sketchy or you see any red flags, stop communication. 
• Never send explicit content. This might be obvious to some but you need to remember that you can never fully trust a stranger online. You have no idea what their intentions are and it’s better to be safe than sorry. If someone is eagerly asking you for explicit nude photos or videos, stop communication. 

What to do if you are a victim of photo blackmail on Instagram 

What to do if someone blackmailing you with photos or if you are currently experiencing photo blackmail on Instagram you are not alone and there are ways to help, put an end to this awful crime. 

1. Do not pay. If you give in to the demands of your blackmailer you are just going to encourage them to come back for more. These criminals will act as if they will delete your nude photos if you pay up, but that is just a lie to see how much money they can get out of you. 
2. Document everything. You want to make sure that you have screenshots of every interaction you have had with your blackmailer. This includes text, calls, images, dates, and any more telling information about the blackmailer. This will help with an investigation. 
3. Tell someone. Blackmailers gain more power the more isolated they make their victims. They want you to think that you have nowhere to run or no one to go to for help, which isn’t the case. Confide in family or friends so you have the support you need to get through this tough time. Sextortion can be a very isolating crime. 
4. Make a report. You should report the blackmailer’s account to Instagram so they are aware of the abuse happening on their platform. We also highly encourage victims to contact authorities to make a police report. You can head to your local law precinct and visit the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3.org) to make a report. 

Conclusion 

No one deserves to be blackmailed, especially not over something as personal as nude photos.

If you find yourself in this type of situation, remember that you’re not alone and there are steps you can take to protect yourself both online and offline. By following the tips outlined above, you can take control of the situation and hopefully resolve it quickly and effectively. If you need blackmail helpline – contact us ASAP.

Now you Know what to do if faced with Instagram Nude Blackmail. Its time to act and find some help