What is sextortion?

Sextortion is blackmail involving threats to share real, altered or invented intimate images or videos. An offender may demand money, further images or another action, but the abuse is not your fault. You do not have to deal with the threat alone, and help is available. 123

By Secordit. Last checked: 7 November 2026.

Go to the steps · All glossary terms

How it works

  1. Someone obtains an image, creates one or claims to have one. 123
  2. They threaten to send it to family, friends or other contacts. 123
  3. They make demands and use fear to keep you engaged. 123

Real UK example

Police Scotland warned in February 2026 about reported sextortion in East Lothian and Midlothian. Officers said victims were being financially blackmailed online.

The warning urged people not to pay and said reports would be treated with respect. It did not suggest victims should investigate or confront offenders themselves. 2

Warning signs

  • A new online contact pushes for intimate pictures or private video. 12345
  • Someone threatens to expose images unless you pay. 12345
  • The demand increases after an earlier payment. 1236754
  • A generic email claims to have hacked you and cites an old password. 123891054

What to do now

  1. If you are in danger or at risk of harming yourself, call 999. 1231154
  2. Do not pay or send more images. Stop contact and block the offender. 12345
  3. Keep usernames and text messages safely. Do not screenshot, record or share intimate images if anyone shown might be under 18. 12345
  4. Report blackmail to your local police on 101. You do not need to collect evidence before reporting. If under 18, tell a trusted adult. 12371154

UK reporting and support

How to protect yourself

  • Limit who can contact you and see your social profiles. 12354
  • Keep passwords unique and enable two-step verification. 123891054
  • Ask for support from someone you trust rather than handling threats alone. 12354

Frequently asked questions

Should I pay a sextortion demand?

Report Fraud advises against paying. Paying can lead to further demands. If you already paid, stop further payments and seek help. 1

Does an old password prove someone has intimate footage?

No. The NCSC explains that threatening emails may use passwords from earlier breaches. Change the password if you still use it. 5

Where can a child get help?

Tell a trusted adult and contact the police. Report Fraud also links to CEOP and Report Remove for support with child-image abuse. 1

Specialist help: CEOP Safety Centre · Report Remove.

Matching kit

After a Scam: What to Do First · £7 · Digital download.

A printable UK checklist for the money, account and reporting steps. It is general information, not a recovery service.

This kit covers practical money and account steps. It is not specialist support for intimate-image abuse.

General information, not legal, financial or personalised security advice. Secordit is not a police or bank reporting service.

News Pulse

Account security, explained by email.

Read about News Pulse

Sources

  1. Report Fraud, Sextortion - Report Fraud. Accessed 7 November 2026 (Europe/London).
  2. Police Scotland, Rise in sextortion offences reported in East Lothian and Midlothian - Police Scotland. Accessed 7 November 2026 (Europe/London).
  3. Police.uk, Sextortion | Police.uk. Accessed 7 November 2026 (Europe/London).
  4. Police.uk, Sextortion: reporting it to us | Police.uk. Accessed 7 November 2026 (Europe/London).
  5. NCSC, Sextortion emails: how to protect yourself | National Cyber Security Centre. Accessed 7 November 2026 (Europe/London).
  6. UK Finance, Authorised Push Payment Fraud Reimbursement | UK Finance. Accessed 7 November 2026 (Europe/London).
  7. Report Fraud, Report Fraud alert: Police forces being impersonated in scam calls using ‘spoofed’ phone numbers - Report Fraud. Accessed 7 November 2026 (Europe/London).
  8. NCSC, Recovering a hacked account | National Cyber Security Centre. Accessed 7 November 2026 (Europe/London).
  9. NCSC, Top tips for staying secure online | Turn on 2-step verification (2SV) | National Cyber Security Centre. Accessed 7 November 2026 (Europe/London).
  10. ICO, 23andMe fined £2.31 million for failing to protect UK users’ genetic data | ICO. Accessed 7 November 2026 (Europe/London).
  11. Police Scotland, How to report a crime - Police Scotland. Accessed 7 November 2026 (Europe/London).
  12. Report Fraud, More than £50 million lost to remote access tool scams last year - Report Fraud. Accessed 7 November 2026 (Europe/London).
  13. GOV.UK, Avoid and report internet scams and phishing: Report internet scams and phishing - GOV.UK. Accessed 7 November 2026 (Europe/London).