I Am Being Blackmailed On Instagram – What Can I Do?
According to a report from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), Instagram is by far the most used platform involved in sextortion in the U.S., with 81.3% of offenders threatening to share intimate imagery on Instagram.
However, there are steps you can take to do this safely. Read more to understand how to deal if you are blackmailed on Instagram.
Do Not Respond to the Blackmailer Without Legal Counsel
You might, as your first instinct, request that the blackmailer not publish the images or videos. You can even tell them to name a price or pay what they want. This will only elongate the blackmail and result in increased threats.
Do not engage further with them. Responding will only confirm that they did reach a real person and that person is now terrified. This gives them the power to threaten you more and demand larger payments.
The blackmailer is likely sending the same threats to multiple people at the same time. They might not even have any media of you in compromising situations.
With no response they learn they cannot manipulate you. This lack of engagement may cause them to forward onto a new target.
Do Not Pay the Blackmailer
Just as you should not engage with the blackmailer, you cannot send them any money.
And when you do pay up, you’ve basically just confirmed to the scammer that their threats work on you. Now they have you as a sucker to prey upon over and over for cash.
The demands will never stop. The amounts will keep rising. You could potentially pay this person forever.
It is likely that none of the images or videos will be deleted if you pay them. It provides them with zero incentive to cease.
By refusing to pay, you take back control. Fight financial coercion. Protect yourself from repeated exploitation.
Take a Record of the Instagram Messages, Phone Number, Email, and Profiles
Do not respond to the blackmailer, but capture their Instagram messages and profile in screenshots.
Make note of the phone numbers or email addresses they contacted you from. And if they made fake profiles just to message you, document those as well.
That evidence is important for your legal counsel to investigate the blackmailer, and for a potential unmasking.
You’ll want to screenshot or save the blackmail messages before you block the Instagram account. You won’t be able to view the conversation once it is blocked.
Take a Record of the Instagram Messages, Phone Number, Email, and Profiles
The best protection is to hire legal and cybersecurity protection, but not everyone can afford these fees.
If you cannot afford counsel, go ahead and block the blackmailing account on Instagram. Do this only after collecting evidence as outlined above.
Blocking stops the scammer from getting to you with more threats and demands for money. Out of sight, out of mind. This can bring some immediate relief to anxiety while you sort out your next steps.
You can also tighten up the privacy settings on your Instagram profile to reduce the potential of contact with suspicious accounts in the future.
Report the Profile on Instagram
Finally, you may Instagram's in-app reporting tools to report the blackmailer's profile if you so wish. It is important that you weigh this option, as your legal counsel will be in the best position to advise you as to whether this is necessary or advisable. If you choose to use the reporting tool, here is the process:
1. Tap on a three-dot icon on a message or profile taps.
2. Press “Report” and select the option that describes your situation as closely as possible.
3. Categories that would apply to blackmail might be those under bullying, extortion, or nudity.
You can include more information in the text box below if you feel it is necessary. The account and content may then be reviewed to see if it goes against policies. If that is the case, they might shut down the profile.
