I Am Being Blackmailed on iMessage, What Can I Do?
Have received iPhone text messages threatening to expose photos or personal information if you do not pay him/her? This is a version of online blackmail called sextortion. While it can be scary to receive these threats, there are actions you can take to respond to these situations.
How Does iMessage Blackmail Work?
iMessage blackmail typically starts when a scammer gets hold of some kind of compromising material that can be used to intimidate you - usually photo or video or personal details.
They can get it in a backdoor way, setting up an online relationship with you to build their trust, or they may have it organically. The scammer might be impersonating someone you know or inventing a brand-new online friend or romance. Once they gain your trust, they will convince you to send personal photos or videos or divulge personal information.
Then, once they have the compromising material - they demand that you pay them money, and they threaten to send the compromising material to your friends, family or employer or post it online publicly. At times, they will send a portion of the information as proof that they actually have it in their hands.
The whole thing is designed to milk fear and panic for money. Once you have paid, they will continue to attempt to squeeze out larger and larger amounts, fully cognizant that you will want to avoid public humiliation and exposure.
Do Not Respond Back To The Blackmailer
Once those threatening messages start arriving, your instinct is to plead with them not to follow through. You may want them to understand your point of view and have empathy for where you are at in the current situation.
But responding, even for innocent reasons, sends the signal that you are up for some back and forth with them. And if the blackmail scammer has your attention, it usually ramps up the threats. And any response from you at all gives them the power to keep ratcheting up demands.
That is why experts overwhelmingly recommend - by a wide margin, the overwhelming majority - just not responding to the messages at all.
By shutting up entirely, and speaking only through counsel, you demonstrate to them that their charm offensive, threats, and fear-mongering cannot control you. If the blackmailer understands that there is no leverage to receive what they want from you, most of the time, they will just follow through. We understand that it feels impossible to ignore those threats looming over you. But resist the temptation to reply and instead seek counsel.
Be Absolutely Certain Not to Pay the Blackmailer
Under no circumstances should paying the blackmail even be an option, even if the mere thought of compromising photos or video even being made public is already so gut-wrenching and humiliating for you.
I know that does not comport with your instincts when you feel afraid - you just want the problem to be done with. But consider that sending any money over is only indicating to the scammer that their plans are meeting with some success. It indicates to them you are committed and prepared to bow to their demands.
Once you send money, you will almost always be continually sent demands for money, and ever larger amounts.
And there is no assurance that even if you pay once that they’ll really honor their promise to delete the info and get lost.
They know you are useful, now they also know they have leverage over you which means they likely will keep blackmailing. You are better off keeping your money and your dignity. Standing your ground lets them know you won’t be manipulated.
Do You Want to Block Them? Save All the Evidence First
Because you are going to want to not answer, you should gather evidence and document every single step. You should document the following:
· Note down any profile information from the accounts you saw them contacting you from - usernames, photos, bios, etc. - anything that will help make them easier to identify.
· Note down any phone numbers used to call/text you in addition to iMessage
· Write down the bitcoin wallet addresses or other payment profiles they asked you to send with funds. This can sometimes mean tracking them.
· Log every contact/message, including dates/times to create a timeline.
How Consulting with an Attorney Can Strengthen Your Likelihood of Keeping Your Information Private
An attorney can advise what options and rights you may have under the circumstances. Merely the threat of serious legal firepower turned in their direction could well be enough to scare blackmailers away.
How To Block Someone on iMessage
On an iPhone or iPad, the quick steps for blocking a number from sending you iMessages are:
1. Open the Messages app and tap the thread of messages with the blackmailer.
2. Now on the prizes page, click their name and/or number along the top of the screen to open their contact profile.
3. Scroll down under their phone number and tap on “Block this Caller”.
4. In the confirmation box that pops up, tap on block contact again.
Understand that once you have refused communication, collected evidence and not paid out money, the way to further increase your chances of not having information released is to retain counsel or law enforcement to assist you.
