In 2015, a group of Italian researchers studied 10 million Instagram accounts. They found that 8% of them behaved like spam bots. Instagram has remained one of the leading social platforms for reported scams, especially online blackmail. We have created a guide for users to understand how to respond and report blackmail on Instagram if targeted.
Report Blackmail on Instagram: Step by Step
Many victims don’t report blackmail on Instagram out of embarrassment or shame. However, reporting online blackmail is one of the best ways to combat the crime. Instagram expects users to report blackmail and any other behavior that goes against the platform’s community standards. There are three types of reporting on Instagram: profiles, posts, and messages.
Reporting a Post
When you see a post that you believe goes against the community guidelines, notifying the platform administrators is always a good idea. To report a post on Instagram, click the three dots in the corner of the post. Then, select “Report”. You can report a post for the following reasons:
- You just don’t like it
- Bullying or unwanted contact
- Violence, hate, or exploitation
- Selling or promoting restricted items
- Nudity or sexually explicit content
- Scam or fraud
- False information
- Self-harm or injury
- Intellectual property
Reporting a Profile
Scammers will use their Instagram profiles to target multiple potential victims. Reporting their account is a great way to get it removed from the platform anonymously.
To report an account, you have to visit the profile. Then, click on the three dots or lines next to their username. Select “Report” and then “Something about this account”. From there, three options will appear:
- Posting content that shouldn’t be on the platform. A menu of options appears that are similar to the options for reporting a post. Select the option that best fits your situation.
- Pretending to be someone else. You can report a profile for impersonating your account, someone you follow, a celebrity or public figure, or a business or organization. Keep in mind that you will have to find and select the real account that is being impersonated.
- Being a child under the age of 13. Instagram requires every user to be at least 13 years old. This option will lead you to a form that can be used to report a particular account for being underage.
Reporting a Message
Any messages threatening blackmail should be reported to Instagram. After submitting a report, either an automation tool or a moderation team will review your recent messages. If any message is found inappropriate for the platform, the team will take action.
To report blackmail on Instagram via messages, click on the three dots next to a message for menu options to pop up. On mobile, you can press and hold a message. Then, select “Report.”
Checking the status of your reports
Instagram allows users to check the status of their reports using the “Support Requests” feature in the Instagram app. You can see when Instagram makes a decision based on your report. However, this feature is only available in the mobile app.
To check the status of your reports, go to “Help.” Then, select “Support Requests.”
How Instagram is Dealing with Online Scams
Meta is taking a proactive approach to fighting scammers on Instagram. Using detection technology, Meta combs through the platform to find and remove fake accounts. In May 2024, 63,000 accounts were removed after being linked to Nigerian scammers who blackmailed online users with intimate images.
Protective Features on Instagram
Instagram has introduced new privacy settings over the years to help users protect themselves from scams. Here are some key settings that are worth looking over.
Make your account private
- Go to settings and click on “Account Privacy”
- Make sure “Private Account” is turned on.
Limit who can message you
- Go to settings and select “Messages and Story Replies”
- Change who can send you message requests from “Everyone” to “Your Followers” or “No One”.
- Switch who can send you group message requests from “Everyone” to “People You Follow”.
Two-Factor Authentication
- Go to settings and click on “Account Center.”
- Select “Password and Security” and then “Two-Factor Authentication.”
- Set up how you will get login codes every time you sign in.
Hide your activity status
- Go to settings and select “Messages and Story Replies.”
- Click on “Show Activity Status” and turn it off.
- Click on “Show Read Receipts” and make sure it is off.
Report Blackmail on Instagram to Law Enforcement
Understanding how to report blackmail on Instagram is only the beginning. Next, you should notify law enforcement. Your local police can help you file an official report. Some departments also have a cybercrime unit for investigating online blackmail and bringing the perpetrator to justice.
However, your local law enforcement’s authority has many limitations. For one, the police only have jurisdiction over their local counties and states. They also can’t always pursue online perpetrators who are hiding behind anonymity.
The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
On the other hand, the IC3, a national center for reporting cybercrime, is not limited to local jurisdiction. The FBI has authority nationwide. They even have connections with law enforcement agencies in different countries. Reporting to the IC3 also helps the FBI track cybercrime trends across the country. You can file a report at your local field office or by visiting the IC3 website.
How You Respond to Instagram Blackmail Could Make All the Difference
Learning how to report blackmail on Instagram is important. However, there will be a waiting period before any action takes place. During that time, your actions need to be carefully thought out and executed.
What to Do If You’re Being Blackmailed on Instagram
One of the most important rules to remember is to never comply with their demands. A 2025 report from Digital Forensic Corp. found that giving in to the perpetrator’s demands is largely ineffective in ending the blackmail. In fact, the report finds that it can actually encourage the criminal to target you even more aggressively.
Instead, you should collect and preserve evidence for further investigation from law enforcement or cybercrime experts.
And if you want expert guidance when facing blackmail, contact our team at Digital Forensic Corp. We have cybercrime specialists who are well-versed in responding effectively to blackmail while prioritizing the protection of a victim’s privacy. Dealing with online blackmail alone can be overwhelming. But with the right resources and support, the situation can become much more manageable.
