What To Do With A Sextortion Email? Effective Strategies and Tips

Two words: “Hello, pervert.” They may sound familiar if you’ve received a sextortion email. This phrase is designed to catch you off guard and make you feel judged. Unfortunately, it works. These emails are so popular that scammers send thousands of them every month, hoping to catch innocent victims off guard.

But let’s be clear—sextortion may not have been the scammer’s real intention. These emails aren’t delivered exclusively to you. They are often sent to large numbers of people in similar situations. Scammers claim they’ve hacked your devices and have evidence of you visiting pornographic sites. Why do they do this? Simple: they want your money, and these emails are a tool designed to intimidate and manipulate.

We’re going to explore what’s behind these fishy, poorly written emails and how to determine whether you should seek professional help or simply delete them.

Why Did I Get a Sextortion Email?

Regardless of the websites you visit during your private time, it is unlikely that spyware has been installed on your device to let a scammer take control of your webcam. The link in the email claiming to show the scammer’s “evidence” is almost certainly a malware link.

If clicked, this link may install malicious software, giving the scammer access to your device and enabling them to gather personal information for real extortion attempts.

We’re not trying to scare you, but scammers will. They may claim to have accessed your browser history or taken a video of you visiting certain sites, increasing the likelihood that you’ll comply with their demands. They might say something like, “Because you’ve been poking around those shady sites, I’ve snagged some valuable info about you, and I’ve seen it all.”

Scammers use psychological tactics to play with your mind. Most likely, any personal information they have on you came from a data breach. While this situation may feel like it’s your fault, it’s not. These scammers are skilled manipulators who use fear and guilt to get under your skin. It’s upsetting and inhuman, which is why we want to help you learn how to stop sextortion emails.

But What if the Threat Is Real?

Sextortion emails can be real, but legitimate threats have a different structure. In a genuine sextortion case, the blackmailer is usually more willing to share the content they have and will likely provide specific details about how they plan to expose you.

If you receive a legitimate threat, review where you’ve shared sensitive content. Such threats are often the result of a catfishing scam that has escalated.

In this case, please reach out to our Sextortion Helpline for insights and proper next steps.

What Does a Sextortion Email Look Like?

These emails often include your email address, full name, and possibly other details like a picture of your house or a link. For example:

If you don’t have a webcam, have it covered with tape, or the sender doesn’t provide proof of their claims, the email is 100% a scam. If they include a link to a supposed video or gallery, don’t click it. Their goal is to gain further access to your device or information.

Not all suspicious emails are legitimate threats. Learning to identify the signs of a real sextortion email is the next step to strengthening your digital defenses.]

Example of a Sextortion Email.

Sample email containing a sextortion threat. — A sample sextortion email commonly referred to as the “Hello Pervert” email

As demonstrated in a previous case handled by Digital Investigations, the email contains clues indicating it is not a legitimate sextortion email.

The blackmailer’s story is inconsistent. In the email, they claim to have hacked the victim’s router but also state they used the victim’s password to gain access. This inconsistency strongly suggests that the data used for this email blast originates from a data breach.
The sender requests payment through a hyperlink embedded in the words “Click Here To Pay,” attempting to obscure their true intentions. However, most scammers prefer payment methods that are harder to trace, making a payment link like this suspicious and unlikely.

Using this information, we determined that the email was likely part of a malware campaign. After scanning the email, our team identified its source and took appropriate action on behalf of the target.

What To Do If You Receive A Sextortion Email.

Do Not Reply to the Email! If you’ve already opened it, don’t worry. Simply avoid engaging with the sender, clicking links, or downloading attachments.
Report the Email. If you’ve reported it, congratulate yourself on taking a huge step forward. If not, you can report it directly to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center or the Federal Trade Commission.
Cover Your Webcam. It may sound silly, but using a sticker or tape over your webcam can provide peace of mind. Also, secure your accounts by changing passwords regularly and enabling two-factor authentication (2FA).
Seek Professional Help if the Threat Is Legitimate. If scammers have real content about you or you engaged with them by replying, consider seeking help from cybersecurity experts like Digital Investigations. Our team can verify and secure your devices and digital systems. Contact our Sextortion Helpline for immediate assistance.

We Can Help You.

Take a deep breath. Intrusive thoughts of guilt can be overwhelming, but remember: you did nothing wrong. You are a victim, just like the thousands of others that received that email. This situation won’t ruin your life. Lean on our team to help you. With just a quick scan of the email header, we can determine the source of the threat and whether or not there is the need for additional help in protecting your reputation. Connect with us 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 INVESTIGATIONS CORP. 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.