Blackmail & Sextortion Email Scams – How to Report and Stop Threats

91% of all cyberattacks start with a phishing email, according to Station X. Receiving a blackmail email can be scary. Blackmailers make terrifying threats and claims of possessing incriminating footage or having access to your private data. But how can you determine the validity of these threats, and how should you respond?

Before you begin, it’s important to remember that this is not your fault. Anyone can be targeted by email extortion, but nobody needs to face it alone. Help is available, and recovery from sextortion is possible. We asked our specialists to provide expert advice on what you should do if you receive a blackmail email.

Common Types of Blackmail and Sextortion Emails

Extortion emails can take many forms. However, there are common ways that cybercriminals deliver their threatening messages. Knowing these types of scams not only allows you to recognize blackmail attempts, but it can also help you build awareness of similar elements that may transcend other formats.

• Fake Sextortion Emails. Many sextortion threats are not based in reality. Instead, scammers send generic email scripts to numerous targets at once. They gather enough personal information to make the threats seem legitimate at first glance, but they fail to provide specific details or proof of access.
• Real Sextortion Emails. In some cases, the sextortionist legitimately has access to your intimate content. They may have acquired it from a data leak, purchased it online from another scammer, or hacked into your device – leaving victims feeling hacked and blackmailed in a very real way. Because these types of attacks exist, it’s important to handle all sextortion threats seriously.
• Adult Website Extortion Emails. This type of scam is synonymous with the “hello pervert” and “hacked webcam sextortion” schemes. Cybercriminals will claim to have or actually gained access to your device’s webcam and browsing history. They then threaten to release footage of you browsing adult websites unless you pay them.
• Cryptocurrency Extortion Emails. Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin are common payment methods requested by scammers. This is because blockchain transactions are more difficult to trace and reverse. Extortion emails frequently include instructions to deposit a set amount to a temporary wallet.
• Spoofed or Hacked Email Threats. Blackmail emails are frightening enough on their own, but what if the message came from your own address? Scammers may spoof their email header to appear to match yours or legitimately hack your account. Or instead, they may impersonate a legitimate company, as seen in Microsoft Teams scam emails.

Common Strategies Used in Threatening Email Scams

In reality, anyone can blackmail someone using private or compromising information. However, many cybercriminals from all over the world follow the same tactics to target victims and blackmail them. This leads to a recognizable strategy pattern that can help you identify an email scam attempt before it’s too late. 

Sextortion Email Threats

Sextortionists typically use catfishing to lure victims on dating apps or social media into consensually sending explicit content. They often analyze your online profiles to scout your interests and develop a façade that will appeal to you.

However, criminals approach extortion email scams differently. A sextortion email is usually more direct. Instead of luring victims into a fake relationship, many email blackmailers immediately threaten sextortion in the initial email. A sextortion email falls into two main categories: a fabricated email blackmail threat and a genuine one.

A genuine sextortion email will typically include the explicit images or videos in the message. A fabricated sextortion email, on the other hand, will only make claims. Below are common features of a true sextortion email threat:

1. The blackmailer includes proof of their evidence. In cases of online blackmail, the culprit often displays their leverage to elicit compliance from their victims. This typically occurs by including one or more screenshots of the compromising content in the email.
   
2. They provide details on how they will expose you. Real sextortionists may threaten to share the compromising content with specific friends, family members, or colleagues.
   
3. They demand non-recoverable payment methods. In blackmail email scams, common payment methods include gift cards, prepaid debit cards, or cryptocurrency. These forms of payment are difficult to trace and cannot be reversed or disputed.

The “Hello Pervert” Blackmail Emails

Many fake blackmail email scams are known as the “Hello Pervert” email because it opens with that phrase. The email claims that your device is hacked and that your webcam has been used to secretly record you. The criminal alleges that they captured you watching adult content and performing explicit acts.

In reality, these claims are often fabricated in an attempt to fool the victim. Blackmailers may send these emails to hundreds, hoping a target’s real-life habits align with the false claims. Once they do, the perpetrator will threaten to publicly expose the incriminating information. They may also threaten to send the intimate content to family or friends.

The sextortionist offers one option for victims to protect their privacy: paying the demanded amount. However, our experts at Digital Forensic Corp. recommend never paying the perpetrator. Compliance does not end the blackmail and can make the situation significantly worse.

How Sextortion Emails Can Compromise Devices

A “Hello Pervert” email can also be sent with the intention of compromising devices. Perpetrators will claim to possess incriminating footage and will direct recipients to view it via a link or attachment. However, the link or attachment is actually filled with malware that will hack the device and access private data. Cybercriminals can then use their unauthorized access to find real incriminating data or gain access to online accounts.

What Should You Do If You Receive a Sextortion or Blackmail Email

Blackmailers often bluff to scare you into acting out of panic. If someone is targeting you with internet blackmail, it’s important to avoid hasty decisions. However, there are measures you should take to protect yourself.

1. Stay Calm

We understand that a blackmail email can make you feel like your world is crumbling around you. We don’t want to belittle the level of distress you’re going through. However, you need to try to remain level-headed and respond rationally. Acting on emotion or impulse often makes the situation worse.

2. Document and Preserve the Email

To be safe, you should document the blackmail threat, including email header data and the content of the message. If you delete the email, you may erase crucial evidence needed to take legal action against the perpetrator. Additionally, you should update your passwords and enable two-factor authentication to secure your email account.

3. Report the Blackmail Email

If you receive a blackmail email, report blackmail spam to your email provider. This could result in the sender getting their account suspended or terminated. It also reduces the chances of others falling for the same script. Taking a minute to report the blackmail email helps make the internet safer for everyone. However, make sure you’ve gathered the evidence you need from the email if you do decide to report the sender.

4. Run a Malware Scan

If you suspect that your device has actually been compromised, you should download and use antivirus software. This can help you scan your device for malicious code and remove potential threats. You should also check if your email has been compromised by visiting Have I Been Pwned. Simply enter your email address to check if it’s been involved in any known data breaches. You can also enter your password to verify if it was exposed.

5. Report the Sextortion Email to Law Enforcement

Victims of blackmail should always report sextortion emails to the authorities. It’s a vital step to open the door for more legal action to be taken, including an investigation. Here is how you can report a blackmail email to law enforcement.

• The Police: You can go to your local station, call them over the phone, or visit their website to file a police report. This is official legal documentation that can serve as evidence and support future legal actions.
• National Law Enforcement: If the perpetrator is anonymous or not local, you’ll need to report the crime to the FBI. In the United States, the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) is the FBI’s national reporting center for cybercrime. Federal agents use the IC3 to track a cybercriminal across the country and discover new cases to investigate.
• Cybersecurity Professionals: Law enforcement receives an influx of reports daily. It’s just not possible for them to follow every lead. Furthermore, your main priority is likely to stop the blackmailer’s threats and remove their leverage as soon as possible. This is where online security experts like the team at DFC can help. Our experts work to trace the digital footprint of anonymous blackmailers to assist investigations. We can also work to reduce the risk of exposure.

Don’t Pay the Blackmailer

Above all, never pay. If you send cash, you’ll only encourage the attacker to continue harassing you, often with increased demands and threats. Instead, focus on investigating the case and strengthening your account security.

How to Handle Email Blackmail Scams at Work

If you received a blackmail email on your work account, start by notifying your IT or security team immediately. Don’t try to handle it alone. They’re trained to deal with these types of threats. They’ll guide you on the next steps, which likely includes scanning your device for malware. If you report the email, you help protect yourself and your entire organization from security risks.

It’s also a good idea to change your passwords and enable multi-factor authentication on all work-related accounts. Taking quick, calm action not only stops the immediate threat but also strengthens your long-term security posture.

What Happens If You Ignore Sextortion Emails?

The first thing you should do after receiving a blackmail email is verify the threats. You should be able to get a general sense of whether their claims are true based on the messaging. Do they use your name? Threaten exposure to anyone you know specifically? There will be many red flags if the email is copied and pasted.

If the email blackmail threat is fake, avoid responding. Engaging with the blackmailer only confirms your email address is active, making you a bigger target. In most cases, the perpetrator got your info, such as your email or old passwords, from a previous data breach. They likely blasted the same message to thousands of people hoping someone would bite.

What to Do if the Blackmail Email is Real

It’s risky to ignore a blackmail email scam when the threat of exposure is real. Blackmailers will often make good on their threat in retaliation to being ignored or blocked. A safer strategy may be to use delay tactics to buy time. Delay tactics are excuses that victims can use to postpone the deadline and prevent exposure.

In the meantime, victims should seek help from cybercrime experts like those at DFC or in law enforcement. However, the excuses need to be convincing. Here are a few examples of believable delay tactics:

• “I can give you the money on my next payday.”
• “I’m gathering the funds from friends and family.”
• “My account needs verification before the transfer can go through.”

If you’re in doubt, you can always turn to expert resources for help. These professionals are well-versed in the tactics of cybercriminals and can provide an expert opinion on the blackmail validity.

A Real-Life Case: How To Tell if a Threatening Email is Real

In 2025, Lucy Andrews received a blackmail email. The message claimed to have hacked her phone with a trojan virus, giving them complete control over her device. They alleged that Andrews was recorded performing explicit acts through the camera while watching adult content.

The blackmailer threatened to send the incriminating video to her email contacts and social media followers. The only way to make the problem go away is to pay $1,400 in Bitcoin within two days. Andrews was tempted to comply with the demands to protect her privacy. However, there were a few red flags that she spotted which made the email suspicious.

• Andrews noticed that the sender claimed to have a lot of information about her. However, they also never used her name.
• Andrews never watched the adult content that the blackmailer claimed in the email.
• The email claims that the phone has been hacked but there are no signs of Andrews phone acting strangely.

After noticing these red flags, Andrews decided to ignore the email. She blocked the email address and, in hindsight, asserts that she should’ve reported it to the police.

Was the Blackmail or Sextortion Email Sent from Your Own Account?

If you are being blackmailed by a threatening email that looks like it came from your own address, don’t panic. Cybercriminals sometimes forge or “spoof” the sender’s email to make it look like it came from you. Combined with a leaked password, blackmailers use this trick to scare you and make the threat feel more real.

You might see your own email address in the “From” field, but that doesn’t mean your account has been hacked. It’s a common tactic used to both intimidate the recipient and hide the perpetrator’s true identity. Blackmailers exploit weaknesses in email verification systems through spoofing and, unfortunately, it’s relatively easy to pull off.

How to Stop Sextortion Emails and Protect Your Accounts

Staying safe online starts with good habits and the right tools. Here’s how to protect your email accounts and reduce your risk of being targeted by fraud or cyberattacks:

• Use strong, unique passwords. Create passwords that are at least 12 characters long and include a mix of uppercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Avoid reusing the same password across different sites.
• Use a password manager. A trusted password manager can generate and securely store strong, unique passwords for all your accounts.
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA). Turn on 2FA wherever possible. It requires a second step via email or phone to log in to your accounts.
• Keep antivirus software up to date. Install reputable antivirus software and ensure it stays updated. It helps detect and block malicious software before it can cause damage.
• Regularly scan your devices for malware. Even with protection, it’s wise to run periodic scans to catch anything that may have slipped through.
• Use a strong email SPAM filter. Update your email account’s SPAM settings to automatically filter out suspicious or unwanted messages before they reach your inbox.

Extortion and Blackmail Emails: When to Seek Professional Support

In some extortion email cases, it can be beneficial to enlist the services of cybersecurity professionals. These experts have access to proprietary tools and techniques that you wouldn’t be able to utilize alone. They can help you analyze risks, retrieve and preserve evidence, and track threats back to the source.

At Digital Forensics Corp., our team consists of certified digital investigators, data analysts, and legal counsel who are well-versed in cyber extortion response. Through metadata and digital footprint analysis, our experts work to collect and document evidence that can help support your case and identify the culprit when possible.

After the immediate threat has been addressed, we can continue to provide support through ongoing threat monitoring to help mitigate the chances of repeat attacks. Furthermore, we can assess your current security system and online practices to help you position yourself to stay safe online.

Extortion emails can target anyone, but it’s important to remember that it’s not your fault, and you don’t need to face it alone. Our team is available 24/7 to provide the professional assistance you need. Contact our Blackmail and Sextortion Helpline today to speak with one of our specialists and begin an expert investigation.

FAQ

What should I do if I am threatened via email?

You should immediately document details of the email, including header content, threatening messages, and timestamps. With this evidence, you should report the email to your service provider and law enforcement, including your local and national authorities. Avoid clicking on any attachments or complying with any demands.

What should I do if I get an extortion email asking for Bitcoin?

Avoid paying the criminal and report the threat and the wallet to the cryptocurrency trading platform and law enforcement. If you’ve already sent funds, report the transaction immediately. While recovery of funds is never certain, timely reporting improves the likelihood.

What should I do if a hacker claims to have a video?

Assess the validity of the claim. Did the scammer send any sort of proof or specific details pertaining to the footage? If they truly had video of you, they would likely send screenshots to prove their claims. That being said, do not open links to supposed footage. These often contain malware that could potentially give the scammer real access.

I’m receiving email threats asking for money – what should I do?

You should never pay a cybercriminal or entertain any of their demands. Compliance will not make them go away. In fact, law enforcement and cybersecurity experts have noted that this often leads to repeated and escalated demands. Furthermore, it does nothing to stop the perpetrator from exposing your content.

How can I stop sextortion emails on my mobile device?

Through your email application, report the scam email to your provider. Take screenshots of the email’s contents and the sender’s information. With this, you should report the threats to law enforcement. In most jurisdictions, you can file a local police report over the phone. You can also notify the FBI online through the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) or over the phone by calling your local field office.

What’s the difference between sextortion, blackmail, and extortion emails?

Extortion emails are an encompassing form of cyber threat that involves leveraging threats to coerce the actions of the victim. Blackmail emails are a form of extortion that involves threats to reveal damaging information. Sextortion emails are a subcategory of blackmail in which the damaging information being leveraged pertains to the nonconsensual distribution of intimate content.