How To Report Blackmail on Instagram and Protect Your Online Reputation

Have you been blackmailed on Instagram? You’re not alone and we’re here to help. It can be scary, but there are things you can do to protect your online reputation and even prevent the release of sensitive material.

Instagram is the most used platform for sextortion cases in the U.S. according to a 2024 report released jointly by the NCMEC and Thorn (1). The number of sextortion cases reported on Instagram increased dramatically after 2022 with more than 800 cases reported on Instagram each week. Those are just the cases that get reported on Instagram. Sadly, the majority of Instagram blackmail goes unreported.

The most common forms of reported Instagram blackmail include sextortion, financial extortion, and identity-based threats. The scammer steals sensitive material and threatens to release it to your friends and family if you don’t meet their demands. In many cases, the attacker poses under a fake identity to scam scores of individuals like you.

These threats can take a tremendous toll on victims both emotionally and financially. That’s why it is critical to report Instagram blackmail immediately after it occurs and seek the assistance of professionals. The faster you report the blackmail on Instagram, the quicker you can take steps to protect your account and safeguard your reputation.

What are Common Cyber Scams Used by Instagram Blackmailers?

Catfishing is one of the most common reported Instagram blackmail cyber scams. The attacker poses under a fake identity, typically someone beautiful, and pursues a relationship with you. They trick you into sharing sexual content or private data. They can sometimes scam you for money or other favors. They then threaten you with extortion and threaten to release the material if you don’t pay up.

Sometimes the attacker will even pose as the authorities to pressure you to comply. Identity theft is another common tactic. Hackers can gain access to Instagram accounts and threaten to expose your private photos. They’ll demand ransom to restore access.

Immediate Steps to Take If You’re Being Blackmailed on Instagram

If you’ve been blackmailed by a sextortion, extortion, or other cyber scams on Instagram, here are some steps to take:

Immediately report the blackmail to Instagram and the authorities.
Do not block your scammer. This can escalate the situation. Cease all communication beyond telling them you need time to raise the money. This buys you time to deal with the problem.
Do not pay your scammer. Paying them only leads to more demands.
Do not respond or engage further and avoid negotiating with the attacker.
Take screenshots and document evidence. Save messages, usernames, screenshots of demands, and other evidence. This can help you build a legal case later.
Check and secure your account. If your account has been compromised, change your password and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) to secure your account.

You don’t have to go through this alone. Contact an experienced professional like Digital Investigation Inc. We can help protect your online reputation and prevent the release of sensitive material.

Will the Scammer Know You Reported the Instagram Blackmail?

Fortunately, all reports to Instagram and other social media platforms are confidential. Your attacker will not know you reported the blackmail to Instagram. They have likely used the same fake profile to attack hundreds of people like you. When Instagram suspends the reported blackmailer, they will not know it was you.

How to Report Blackmail on Instagram

To report blackmail on Instagram and suspend the scammer’s account, take the following five steps:

Go to the account of the Instagram blackmailer you want to report.
Click the “…” in the top right corner of the profile.
Click “Report” and choose “Harassment or Blackmail” from Instagram’s drop-down menu.
Select the type of account you want to report and follow the on-screen instructions.
Submit the blackmail report to Instagram.

You can report specific messages on Instagram with the following seven steps:

Open the conversation in the Instagram app.
Hover over the message you’d like to report.
Click the “…” next to the message.
Click “Report” from the drop-down menu.
Select the reason for the report.
Follow the onscreen instructions.
Submit the report to Instagram.

How to Report Instagram Blackmail to Law Enforcement

We encourage you to report Instagram blackmail and other cyber scams to law enforcement authorities. Crimes involving nonconsensual intimate image sharing (NCII abuse) are increasingly common. The only way to stop NCII abuse is to hold the criminals legally accountable.

The process of reporting Instagram blackmail to law enforcement will vary depending on which country you live in. Many law enforcement agencies have specialized crime teams responsible for prosecuting cases of NCII abuse.

US Victims: File an Instagram Blackmail Report with the FBI’s IC3

The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) collects cybercrime reports and can help connect you to the proper authorities in the FBI. File a report and include as many details as possible. Be sure to include timestamps, account details, and any other evidence that a cybercrime was committed.

Reporting Instagram Blackmail to International Cybercrime Agencies

If you live internationally, you can report blackmail on Instagram to the following authorities:

United Kingdom: Action Fraud
Canada: Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
Australia: Australian Cyber Security Centre

Work with Digital Investigation Inc. to Prevent Leaks and Secure Your Data

Facing sextortion, NCII abuse, or other cyber scams can be intimidating, but we’re here to help. Digital Investigation Inc. can protect your reputation and even stop the release of sensitive material. You’re not in this alone.

We’ll protect your security online by using proprietary cybersecurity methods to identify the location and identity of your attacker. We’ll use that information to stop the release of sensitive material.

Our Professional Digital Forensic Services

Digital Investigation Inc. uses enhanced social engineering methods to identify your blackmailer. We’ll analyze the threats, trace the IP address to the attacker’s exact location, and gather evidence to help you take legal action. We’ll identify and track down your blackmailer to hold them accountable.

Reputation Management and Content Removal

After we identify your attacker, Digital Investigation will use enhanced methods to remove any sensitive content from the web. We can identify the scammer and remove their leverage to protect you and gain control of your online reputation.

Ongoing Security Monitoring

Our service doesn’t end after your case has been resolved. Our cybersecurity experts will monitor your system to prevent future attacks. We’ll secure your digital accounts to help prevent scammers from bothering you again.

How to Prevent Future Blackmail on Instagram

Here are steps you can take to prevent future blackmail on Instagram:

Update Privacy Settings: Set your profile to private so only approved followers see your content and limit who can send you direct messages. If you aren’t actively monitoring Instagram, hide your stories and disable resharing options.
Protect Your Profile: Use a strong, unique password and regularly update them. Secure your account by enabling two-factor identification and turn on login alerts to notify you if someone accesses your account.
Avoid Oversharing: Never share any contact information, sensitive data, or explicit content on Instagram, even with people you know. Assume anything you share can be misused, even in private messages.

Additionally, you should stay informed of current social media scams. Pay attention to cybersecurity updates to recognize emerging threats.

How to Cope with the Emotional Impact of Blackmail

Dealing with Instagram blackmail can be frightening and emotionally distressful. But you don’t need to face it alone. Seek help and support from friends you can trust. It may also be helpful to seek the help of professional counselors and support groups.

Here is a list of free resources that can help.

Access Now (accessnow.org) offers 24/7 support for online blackmail victims.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline offers 24/7 support by calling 988 in the US.
BetterHelp (betterhelp.com) is a great resource for online therapy.
Stop Sextortion (stopsextortion.com) provides help for sextortion victims.
Thorn (thorn.org) provides help for child victims of online blackmail.

Take Control and Stop Instagram Blackmail

Blackmail is a serious crime in most countries. You’re not alone, and you’re not powerless. Report Instagram blackmail immediately and hold the scammers accountable. Take steps to protect yourself and seek professional counseling if necessary.

Digital Investigation Inc. can provide expert guidance, digital security solutions, and content removal services to help protect your online reputation. We’ll work with you to prevent future attacks.

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