I Fell Victim to a Facebook Blackmail Scam, What Can I Do?
Have you ever sent something online you later came to regret? Perhaps a provocative photo or an embarrassing message?
If yes, you might be in danger of being targeted by a Facebook blackmail scam. These scams exploit individuals’ fear of embarrassment by claiming that private content will be disseminated unless the victim pays money.
Here’s what to know about Facebook blackmail scams, and what to do if you are targeted.
What is a Facebook Blackmail Scam?
A Facebook blackmail scam occurs when the scammer could have acquired the compromising material in one of several ways:
· You made it public on Facebook or some other site
· The scammer has access to your account
· You sent it privately to someone you thought could be trusted
However it has happened, the scammer will threaten to share your private content with this information or with as many people as possible unless you comply with their demands - generally for money.
This sort of scam feeds on fear.
How Facebook Blackmail Victims Are Targeted
Scams typically use different tactics to find potential blackmail victims on Facebook:
· Friending random people. Criminals send friend requests to thousands on Facebook in hopes a few will accept. Upon acceptance, they seek signs that their new “friend” might have, or could be convinced to part with, compromising info.
· Lurking in Facebook groups. Scammers infiltrate dating, sex, relationship and other intimate groups as a stalker watching for those posting risqué content. They might then try to befriend those users.
· Hacking accounts. Scammers can break into Facebook accounts and steal private photos, messages, and videos that they can use for blackmail. Always use strong passwords and two-factor authentication to minimize hacking risks.
· Building trust. Scammers do this by posing as attractive strangers online and gradually building up trust with a target. They first gain the trust of a person before asking them to send revealing pictures or videos.
· Romance scams. Scammers make fake profiles pretending to want to date the victim. Once they acquire the compromising material, they threaten to make it public, unless the victim pays up.
The key fact to remember about this allege scammer is that, they use manipulation and deceit in getting sensitive content to blackmail you. Exercise extreme caution in sharing anything personal with people you don’t know very well.
What To Do If You Are a Blackmail Victim on Facebook
Here’s what to do if you’re the target of Facebook blackmail:
Record All Sensitive Data
If the scammer has messaged you blackmail threats through messenger, Facebook messenger, email or anything similar, screenshot them. Among the details to try to capture are any photos or videos, messages regarding demands for payment and information on accounts the scammer may be using.
All of this evidence can assist law enforcement in finding the perpetrator later.
Do Not Give Your Blackmailer Money
No matter how scary the threats are, you should not pay what the scammer is asking for. Paying blackmail seldom stops the threats for good. More often, it spurs the criminal to ask for ever-higher amounts.
And paying blackmail funds criminal operations and also puts other innocent people in harm’s way.”
If You Have Given Your Blackmailer Money
If you paid money to a blackmail scammer, first take solace in that fact; so many do this out of fear during the moment. Don’t be too hard on yourself.
Now the focus should be on reporting the crime and trying to recoup any losses, working with the authorities and your bank. No one should ever pay blackmail, but it is a common move to manipulate good people into doing so.
Hire an Attorney or a Lawyer
Consult a cybercrimes attorney. They can advise you with respect to laws pertaining to extortion, blackmail, online harassment and stalking that may apply.
Be Sure To Know All Facebook Friends
Every couple of months, take a look at your friends list and delete people whose accounts seem a little sketchy or that you don’t remember approving. Never, ever friend-request random people.
Set Your Privacy Settings Correctly
At achieve - Facebook - limit who can see your posts, photos, and personal information with the aid of the privacy tools that exist on the platform. The stricter the better.
Do Not Communicate With People You Don't Know
Don’t race to message or chat privately with new Facebook friends or share content with them, even if they appear friendly at first. Dishonest users take advantage of trust.
Do Not Share Private Content Online
As a rule of thumb, if you wouldn’t want your grandma to see a photo or video, don’t post it on the internet - ever, even just temporarily, or if you think your privacy settings will protect it. Digital media is easy to copy and share without your permission once it is uploaded.
Final Thoughts
You reduce the risks of that content being used against you in a plot to blackmail you by monitoring whom you friend and with whom you share information.
