sextortion
Coerced by images
Sextortion is extortion using sexual material as leverage—typically threatening to release intimate images unless the victim pays money or provides more explicit content.
The crime often begins with someone obtaining or creating compromising photos through hacking, catfishing, or prior relationships: He was arrested for sextorting teenage girls he'd met online.
A blend of sex and extortion.
Pressured compliance through threats
- threatsDeclarations of intended harm
- intimidationDeliberate fear-inducing pressure
- leverageBorrowed capital for amplified returns
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
shame · humiliation · exposure · demands · ransom · silence · fear · compromise
Fraudulent credential harvesting
- scamDishonest money-making scheme
- catfishingDeceiving via false identity
- hackingInfiltrating protected digital systems
- malwareHarmful computer programs
ransomware · social engineering · online predator · webcam · screenshots · deepfake · identity theft · fraud
Online content-sharing platforms
- messagingSending written digital communications
- webcamComputer-mounted video capture device
- SnapchatDisappearing multimedia messenger
- InstagramPhoto-sharing social platform
dating apps · TikTok · Discord · WhatsApp · online chat · video call · direct message · screen capture
Scale with lowered third
- teenagerPerson aged thirteen-nineteen
- vulnerabilityOpenness to harm
- traumaLasting psychological wound
- suicideVoluntary death by oneself
depression · isolation · desperation · helplessness · target · prey · survivor · psychological harm
coercion
Pressured compliance through threats
- threatsDeclarations of intended harm
- intimidationDeliberate fear-inducing pressure
- leverageBorrowed capital for amplified returns
manipulation · shame · humiliation · exposure · demands · ransom · silence · fear · compromise · secrets
phishing
Fraudulent credential harvesting
- scamDishonest money-making scheme
- catfishingDeceiving via false identity
- hackingInfiltrating protected digital systems
malware · ransomware · social engineering · online predator · webcam · screenshots · deepfake · identity theft · fraud · grooming
social media
Online content-sharing platforms
- messagingSending written digital communications
- webcamComputer-mounted video capture device
- SnapchatDisappearing multimedia messenger
dating apps · Instagram · TikTok · Discord · WhatsApp · online chat · video call · direct message · screen capture · encryption
minor
Scale with lowered third
- teenagerPerson aged thirteen-nineteen
- vulnerabilityOpenness to harm
- traumaLasting psychological wound
suicide · depression · isolation · desperation · helplessness · target · prey · survivor · psychological harm · emotional distress
- coercion crimeskidnapping, blackmail, human trafficking, false imprisonment, criminal threats
- cyber threatsmalware, phishing, hacking, virus, ransomware
- cybercrimeshacking, phishing, malware, ransomware, data breach
- cyberscamsphishing, scam emails, online scams, scams, email spoofing
- Digital Ethicsprivacy, data privacy, cyberbullying, misinformation, disinformation
- online scamsphishing, scam, email scam, advance fee scam, Nigerian prince scam
sextortionconsent
Voluntary agreement given
mutual consent · informed consent · autonomy · bodily autonomy
sextortionvictim protection
Safeguards for harmed individuals
online safety · safeguarding · victim advocacy · child protection · privacy protection
sextortionethical behavior
Morally principled conduct
integrity · honor · decency · trustworthiness · good faith