Someone recorded our private video call and is threatening to share it unless I pay. What do I do?
Don't pay and stop replying. Paying almost never ends it; it shows the person you will pay again. Keep the evidence and report it to the police and to the platform.
This is called sextortion. The scammer often uses a fake attractive profile, pushes for an intimate video call, records it and then sends the clip with a list of your friends or family. It is a crime, and the shame belongs to them, not to you.
Most scammers move on when they don't get paid, but no one can promise that. Telling someone you trust makes it easier to handle.
What to do now
- Don't pay, and don't send more photos or videos.
- Take screenshots of the messages, the profile and the number.
- Block the person after you have saved the evidence.
- Report the account to the platform.
- Report it at the nearest police station or to the DCI.
Frequently asked questions
- I already paid once. What now?
- Stop paying. Keep the payment messages as evidence and report it. Paying again won't make them delete anything.
Want to know if there are warning signs about the person you're chatting to? Veritaza checks the photos, the messages, the number, the email address, the name and the ID document, for KSh 300.
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