In 2016, A British study identified Morocco, specifically the city of Qued Zem, as a significant center of criminal activities involving financial sextortion(1). As years have gone on and other players in the sextortion economy have added other major players into the mix, Morocco remains a home for many professional scammers that coerce and blackmail for profit.
Morocco itself appears to harbor a large number of sextortionists. This appears to be an issue of failure to arrest the individuals and the ease at which the criminals can access money through transfer agencies.
Scammers seek the internet as a means to operate because they can hide behind layers of anonymity. Protective barriers of fake accounts, imitation, and deception allow an individual to operate almost anywhere. Their ability to target those living outside the country means they can operate without fear of extradition.
What Is a Moroccan Sextortion Scam?
A Moroccan sextortion scam is similar to one that may take place anywhere else in the world. Morocco has become synonymous with sextortion scams because of its lack of action on the issue.
A sextortion scam is a blend of online blackmail and catfishing. The scammers seek out sexual content that they can use against their victims in order to get money.
A disguise is an important part of the sextortion scam. The scammer must build out a believable profile of the person they will become. They create fake emails, fake accounts, and fake names for their profile. The sextortionist will steal pictures from an attractive person and build a persona to be used online against their victim.
The extortion portion of a sextortion scam is the extortionist’s ability to use some sort of leverage against their victim. Sextortionists look to blackmail to get their victims to pay them money. They rely on shame tactics and threats to get their victims to comply with their demands.
How Does a Moroccan Sextortion Scam Work?
Sextortionists gravitate toward social media and dating apps. Social media scams may have stalked victims who feel like they’re being targeted. They’ll send a friend request out of the blue and engage in a friendly conversation. Some scammers specialize in certain social media apps or sites, such as Facebook, where it has become commonplace to target elderly users.
On the dating scene, there are plenty of apps that don’t require payment and verification. Because these accounts are free to create, they entice users to try them out, but that also means that scammers can operate them for free.
A sextortionist will use a dating app to match with as many people as they can and use false information in their profile to appear relevant. They may often put that they’re in “traveling mode” for the apps that show their true location or distance.
Once a connection is made with their target, the sextortionist will likely ask to take the conversation to a messaging app. Moving to a messaging app is a hallmark of many dating scams, as it allows them to engage in sexual behavior and exchange content outside the dating platform’s safety filters.
The sextortionist may send sexual content and ask for some in exchange,- a point where a scammer asks for private pictures or videos to gain leverage. When their victim supplies pictures, videos, or text, these images and videos will be saved through screen recordings and screenshots.
The sextortionist will investigate their target by using the details in their profile to find out who they are and who their friends and family are. If possible, they will even dig up information about where they work and who their colleagues are.
The content and information they have about their victim will be used to blackmail them. The scammer will demand money in exchange for keeping silent.
The Warning Signs of a Moroccan Sextortion Scam
Moroccan sextortion scams often follow a similar pattern, with many scammers moving quickly to build trust before asking for intimate content that can later be used for blackmail. Knowing the common warning signs associated with these schemes can help you avoid becoming a victim. Take caution if you notice:
- Attractive profiles that contact you unexpectedly through social media or a dating app.
- Conversations that become personal or sexual very quickly, with little effort to get to know you.
- Requests to move to a messaging app, such as WhatsApp, Telegram, or Google Chat.
- Unsolicited intimate photos or videos that are sent first to encourage you to do the same.
- Avoidance of video calls or constant excuses for why they can’t verify their identity.
- Threats and demands for money after receiving your private content or personal information.
What Can I Do If I’m a Target of Sextortion?
If you or a loved one has been involved with a sextortionist, it’s important to seek help. If the scammer is demanding money, do not pay.
While this experience is frightening, most sextortionists do not act on their threats. If money has already been exchanged for fear of exposure, the scammers will continue to harass their victims.
One of the main reasons a sextortionist will not make good on their threat is that they risk losing money. A victim will not be likely to pay their scammer if the threat is carried out. There’s still a possibility that the pictures will be released regardless. If the victim is aware of the threat being acted upon, they will likely stop communicating.
The other main reason a sextortionist won’t release the content is that they don’t want to draw attention. If government agencies get involved, they risk facing legal ramifications. If the scammer is in possession of sexual images of a minor, this could escalate the issue even further for them.
If you or someone you know needs help, here are a few quick steps to take:
- Stop Communication: Don’t continue the conversation with the scammer or do what you can to buy yourself more time.
- Don’t Pay: A scammer will not leave you alone if you pay and will continue to hold their leverage against you.
- If You’ve Paid: Even if you’ve paid, you can still take action to bring the scammer to justice.
- Secure Your Accounts: Tighten your security across as many accounts as you can. Make your public accounts private and ensure you’re not displaying sensitive information that can be used to find you. Even small bits of information across different platforms can be used to identify you.
- Contact Authorities: The FBI has the resources to help people who have been involved in sextortion scams. If the issue involves a minor, you can contact the NCMEC(National Center for Missing and Exploited Children).
Report Moroccan Sextortion Scams and Get Help
Report the Scam Before Seeking Professional Help
Before contacting a professional team, there are a few important steps you should take to protect yourself and document the incident.
- Report the scammer on the social media platform, dating app, or messaging service where the abuse occurred.
- Notify your bank or payment provider if you’ve already sent money to the scammer and monitor your accounts for suspicious activity.
- Report the crime to law enforcement. If you’re in the United States, you can notify the FBI’s IC3. If the victim is a minor, report the incident to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).
Get Expert Help
For those who want to ensure their sextortionist is brought to justice, their personal information is secure, and to prevent the release of their sensitive information, Digital Forensics can help. We have a dedicated 24/7 Sextortion helpline where we can help victims to stop the blackmail and take control of the situation.
Our team of experts consists of social engineers, digital forensics engineers, and lawyers who specialize in cybercrimes. We have the tools, abilities, and track record to take on sextortionists.
FAQ
Most scammers look for potential victims on dating apps, social media platforms, and online forums like gaming communities. They often send friend requests or messages to hundreds of people until someone responds, using available information to appeal to the targets’ interests
Before blocking the scammer, make sure to save screenshots of the interaction. Capture usernames, payment requests, and any messages that display the nature of the threat, along with timestamps. Once you’ve preserved the evidence and properly investigated the matter, blocking the account may help mitigate further contact.
In most cases, sextortion scams rely on manipulation and deception rather than hacking. Unless you’ve downloaded suspicious software or shared passwords, the scammer typically only has the information you’ve voluntarily provided. However, it’s still recommended to take steps to secure your accounts and devices, such as updating passwords and scanning for malware.
Teenagers and young adults are frequent targets for Moroccan sextortion scams because they are active on social media, dating apps, and messaging platforms. Their perceived naivety may also make them more attractive targets for scammers. Parents should encourage open conversations about online safety and remind children to avoid sharing intimate images or sensitive data online.
You can implement simple online practices to avoid similar threats moving forward. Be cautious when accepting friend requests from strangers. Avoid sharing intimate content with strangers online and verify who you’re communicating with before sharing. You should also limit the amount of personal information you make publicly available on social media.
Moroccan romance scams are a form of online fraud where criminals pretend to be interested in a romantic relationship to gain a victim’s trust. Once an emotional connection has been established, they typically begin asking for money, intimate photos, or sensitive data that can later be used as blackmail leverage.
Most Moroccan dating scams start with interactions on dating apps or social media platforms. The scammer creates a fake profile, starts a friendly conversation, and quickly tries to move the discussion toward intimate or sensitive topics. This is often accompanied by an attempt to migrate to a private messaging app where it’s easier to manipulate the victim.
Some of the biggest warning signs associated with these scams include moving the relationship along rapidly, refusing to meet in person or join a video chat, and making excuses whenever you question their identity. They often use sob stories to ask for money or convince you to divulge information that can be leveraged for extortion.
While not every romance scam leads to promises of marriage, some scammers will claim they want to build a life with their victim to manufacture trust. They often do this to ask for money to cover travel expenses, visas, family emergencies, or other fabricated costs before disappearing with the funds. They may ask for financial data under the guise of setting up a joint bank account to facilitate identity theft and fraud attempts.
Sources:
- Moroccan City of Oued Zem Named World Capital of Sextortion | Morocco World News
- Financially Motivated Sextortion | FBI
- Sextortion | FBI
- Take It Down | NCMEC
Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
Dr. Viktor Sobiecki
Currently serves as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Digital Forensics Corporation, where responsibilities span the leadership of advanced cybersecurity initiatives, data breach incident responses, and corporate strategic planning.
