Don’t Be a Victim! How to Stop Blackmail on Snapchat

Snapchat is one of the most popular social media apps in the world – around 800 million people use it monthly. It’s especially popular among the young, particularly Gen Z. And because young people love this app, blackmail on Snapchat is at an all-time high. Nearly ¼ of 6,004 13-to-24-year-olds surveyed in six countries report being victims of sextortion, according to a 2023 study (1).

That’s a staggering number, and the problem is only getting worse.

How do you stop Snapchat blackmail? You have many ways to prevent Snapchat blackmail and protect yourself if you’ve been targeted. You’re not alone. You like so many others are a victim of a cybercrime. None of this is your fault!

Preventing blackmail scams on Snapchat is critical to protecting yourself and the safety of your loved ones.

Here’s what you need to do if you or a loved one has become a victim of Snapchat blackmail scams.

What is Blackmail on Snapchat?

Snapchat blackmail is a form of extortion when someone threatens to release or share sensitive information, images or video unless you meet their demands. While a blackmailer could demand different forms of compensation for their silence, the majority of these demands are financial.

Criminals hunt for new victims on Snapchat because of certain functions on the platform which they can easily exploit. Snapchat’s disappearing messages are designed to vanish shortly after viewing. But through screen recording and other capture tools, a scammer can preserve the message for later use leaving the victim feeling secure until they receive their first threat. Scammers also take advantage of Snapchat’s lax identity requirements by creating fake profile and anonymous accounts. This allows them to hide behind false identities, deceive victims, and operate without fear of discovery unless reported by a victim. This anonymity makes Snapchat a breeding ground for fraud.

Will Your Blackmailer Follow Through in Their Threats on Snapchat?

The short but difficult answer is it depends. Paying a blackmailer does not guarantee that they will not follow through with their threats and release your content.

Victims can use the time granted by deploying delay tactics to contact the proper authorities and seek additional help from professionals who deal with cybercrime.

How is Snapchat Stopping Blackmail on Its Platform?

Snapchat works to prevent blackmail and sextortion on its platform through a combination of technologies. It uses signal-based detection to identify scammers, using the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s “Take It Down” database to remove sexually explicit content quickly. It also strives to protect users by developing educational material on safe online practices and enforcing strict community guidelines.

Snapchat also works to prevent blackmail by identifying scammers and then banning their IP address or their location. This is in an effort to prevent scammers from rejoining the platform with new fraudulent accounts and hurt people again.

Snapchat also publishes a biannual Transparency Report that provides statistics on instances of blackmail or sextortion on Snapchat for the last six months.

How to Stop Blackmail on Snapchat

If you are being blackmailed by a scammer on Snapchat, remain calm. You don’t have to face this alone.

Your first instinct may be to reason with the scammer or comply. Unfortunately, this usually makes the Snapchat extortion worse.

The first step is to gather evidence. If possible, take screenshots of all messages and snaps the scammer sent you. Be sure to capture their user name and the threats they’ve made. Write down the full username of the scammer’s account and any identifying details you can provide. Include the date and time of each interaction.

If you did pay your scammer, keep a record of the transaction.

Next, report the blackmail scam to Snapchat by going to Snapchat’s resource center.

After you’ve collected evidence, we suggest you contact law enforcement. Many countries have resources for victims of cybercrimes that occur on platforms like Snapchat including the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).

You can also seek additional assistance from private cybersecurity firms like Digital Investigation Inc.. Our teams work with individuals in cases of cybercrime in an effort to prevent exposure like in cases of Snapchat sextortion.

What to Do if Someone You Know is Being Blackmailed on Snapchat

If someone you know is being blackmailed by a sextortion or other scam on Snapchat, be kind to them. This is not their fault, even if they shared sensitive or private material.

Encourage them to seek help from law enforcement as this crime grows due to the lack of proper reporting.

Resources to Help Prevent Online Blackmail

If you have been the victim of blackmail or sextortion through Snapchat or another social media app, don’t worry. There is help. Here are a few resources you can use to stop online blackmail or sextortion and protect yourself.

IC3: The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center helps victims of blackmail or sextortion crimes file complaints and serves as a hug to help authorities track and investigate these crimes.

NCA: The National Crime Agency in the UK features a dedicated CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection) Command to handle reports of sextortion and online blackmail for children as well as adults.

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children: This is a great organization that has several free resources to help you safely navigate the web and prevent blackmail and sextortion crimes.

The Internet Watch Foundation: This organization based in the UK provides knowledge, cutting-edge tools, and a hotline to report and prevent blackmail and sextortion crimes.

If you’ve been a victim on another social media platform besides Snapchat, each app features an internal reporting system where you can report your scammer. They will investigate the incident and potentially suspend the user’s account.

How Digital Investigation Inc. Can Help

At Digital Investigation Inc., we fight to protect you and ensure the blackmailers don’t win. Our experienced cybersecurity professionals and social engineering experts will work to identify your blackmailer and work to prevent the release of sensitive material.

We can also work with you to build safety measures for your digital presence to prevent future incidents.

If you or someone you loved has been the victim of blackmail or sextortion on Snapchat, contact our Blackmail Helpline for immediate assistance 24/7. You’re not in this alone. Professional, experienced help can restore your reputation and peace of mind.

Get help today.

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DISCLAIMER: THIS POST IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSIDERED LEGAL ADVICE ON ANY SUBJECT MATTER. DIGITAL INVESTIGATION INC. IS NOT A LAWFIRM AND DOES NOT PROVIDE LEGAL ADVICE OR SERVICES. By viewing posts, the reader understands there is no attorney-client relationship, the post should not be used as a substitute for legal advice from a licensed professional attorney, and readers are urged to consult their own legal counsel on any specific legal questions concerning a specific situation.