Someone is threatening to share my private photos unless I pay. What can I do?
Stop replying and do not pay. Paying rarely ends the threats, it usually leads to new demands. Keep the evidence, report the account and report it to the police.
This scam often starts with a flirt on Instagram, Facebook or a dating app, moves to a video call and ends with a threat. The scammer may have screenshots of your friends list to make the threat feel real.
You are the victim of a crime. Shame is what the scammer counts on, and talking to someone you trust takes away much of their power.
What to do now
- Stop all contact and do not send money.
- Take screenshots of the chat, the profile and any payment details.
- Report and block the account on the platform.
- Make your friends list and profiles private.
- Report it to the Nigeria Police Force and ask for the cybercrime unit.
Frequently asked questions
- Will they really share the photos?
- Some do, many do not. Paying does not make it less likely. Reporting the account helps the platform remove what they post.
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