WhatsApp is among the three widely successful social media platforms Meta owns, including Facebook and Instagram. However, with success also come some setbacks. WhatsApp, including its other successful social platforms, is being used as a weapon for cybercriminals to carry out cybercrimes, such as sextortion, in today’s complex digital landscape. In order to stop sextortion on WhatsApp, victims must understand what it involves and how to prevent them. This blog will provide tips on how to stop WhatsApp sextortion scam and what steps to take to ensure you report the crime to get the right help you need.
Understanding WhatsApp Sextortion
What is WhatsApp Sextortion?
WhatsApp sextortion is a form of online blackmail where perpetrators threaten to release intimate images or videos unless their demands are met. These demands can range from monetary payments to the provision of more explicit content or personal details. Sextortionists exploit social media platforms, including WhatsApp, to carry out their schemes, preying on the fear and vulnerability of their victims. The threat of exposing private moments can be incredibly distressing, making it crucial to understand how these scams operate and how to protect oneself.
How Sextortionists Use Social Media Accounts
Sextortionists often create fake social media accounts to initiate contact with potential victims. They craft enticing profiles with attractive bios to lure in unsuspecting individuals, frequently targeting those who appear vulnerable or inexperienced. Once they establish a connection, they may request intimate images or videos, which they later use as leverage for blackmail. These criminals are adept at manipulating social media platforms to distribute the intimate content, amplifying the victim’s distress and sense of helplessness. Understanding these tactics is the first step in safeguarding oneself against such malicious schemes.
Will blackmailers go away if you ignore them?
When it comes to blackmailers, it’s understandable to want to ignore them. After all, why engage with someone who is trying to emotionally manipulate and extort you? However, in most cases, simply ignoring a blackmailer won’t make them go away. In fact, it could lead to them escalating their tactics and potentially causing even more harm.
Typically, with WhatsApp sextortion, scammers aim to start a connection with victims through social media platforms like Instagram or Facebook before they move communication over to WhatsApp. This ploy allows scammers to collect as much personal information they can find on the profiles of their target, including family and friends, place of work, phone number, and other relevant details that can be used against them.
If ignored, perpetrators may release sensitive content of victims to loved ones and refuse to stop until their demands are met. Therefore, it’s essential to take prompt action against this type of blackmail. Seeking help from professionals or legal experts can help victims regain control and deal with the situation effectively. Remember, no one deserves to be blackmailed, and seeking help is always the first step toward ending it. In addition to legal help, victims should consider seeking professional support from therapists who specialize in cybercrimes to help cope with the emotional toll.
Whom to report WhatsApp sextortion scam to local law enforcement?
WhatsApp does not allow harassment of any kind and takes threats seriously. So, if you are receiving harassing and threatening WhatsApp messages, it’s critical that you report the abuse to the platform so they can take appropriate action.
Per WhatsApp’s Help Center, here is how you can report and block contacts:
To block on an Android:
Block a contact
- Open WhatsApp, tap More options > Settings.
- Tap Privacy > Blocked contacts.
- Tap Add
- Search for or select the contact you want to block.
More ways to block a contact:
- Open a chat with the contact, then tap More > Block > Block. You can also report the contact by tapping Report contact > Block.
- Open a chat with the contact, then tap the name of the contact > Block > Block.
Block an unknown phone number
- Open the WhatsApp chat with the unknown phone number.
- Tap Block. You can also report the contact by tapping Report contact > Block.
To block on an iPhone:
Block a contact
- Open WhatsApp Settings > Privacy > Blocked > Add New…
- Find the contact you want to block, then tap the contact.
More ways to block a contact:
- Open the chat with the contact, then tap the contact’s name > Block Contact > Block or Report Contact > Report and Block.
- In your Chats tab, swipe the chat left, then tap More > Contact Info > Block Contact > Block or Report Contact > Report and Block.
Block an unknown phone number
To block an unknown phone number, you have two options:
- If this is the first time you’ve been contacted by that phone number, you can open the chat and tap Block > Block.
- Open the chat with that phone number, then tap the phone number > Block Contact > Block or Report Contact > Report and Block.
On top of reporting the crime to WhatsApp, we advise victims to document the abuse and report cyber crime to the authorities. WhatsApp Sextortion Scam is a serious crime and should be handled by experts.
It is crucial to gather evidence, including screenshots of threatening messages, to support your case when reporting the crime. After documenting the evidence, promptly report the crime to your local police department and provide them with all the collected information.
Protecting Yourself from Online Blackmail
Tightening Privacy Settings on WhatsApp
To shield yourself from online blackmail, it’s vital to tighten your privacy settings on WhatsApp. Here are some actionable steps you can take:
- Limit Profile Visibility: Restrict who can see your profile photo, status, and last seen information. This can be done by navigating to Settings > Account > Privacy and adjusting the visibility options.
- Set Profile to Private: Ensure that only your contacts can view your profile information. This reduces the risk of strangers accessing your details.
- Be Cautious with Friend Requests: Exercise caution when accepting new friend or follow requests, especially from people you don’t know personally. Scammers often use fake profiles to gain access to your information.
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication: Add an extra layer of security to your account by enabling two-factor authentication. This can be done by going to Settings > Account > Two-step verification and following the prompts.
- Regularly Review Privacy Settings: Periodically check and update your privacy settings to ensure they align with your preferences and provide maximum protection.
Additionally, always be mindful of your online interactions. Avoid sharing personal details or intimate content with individuals you do not fully trust. If you suspect that you are being targeted by a sextortionist, do not engage with them. Instead, seek immediate assistance from local law enforcement or a digital forensics expert. Taking these precautions can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to online blackmail.
Conclusion
Online sextortion is becoming more common these days, and people must be aware of the crime and how to take care of themselves if they find themselves victims. Documenting evidence and reporting it to the platform where the abuse began is essential. Victims should also confide in the authorities and cyber experts so that they can form strong allies to help them overcome this difficult time. Don’t let your harassers maintain power; get the help you need and fight back today! These measures can help protect you from various forms of cyber harassment, including sextortion and other online threats.
