LIFESTYLE NEWS - Financial sextortion has become one of the fastest-growing forms of cybercrime, with authorities warning that cases are increasing at an alarming rate.
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), sextortion was the second most reported scam in the United States during 2025, with more than 75,000 complaints and financial losses exceeding $44 million (about R800 million).
This represents a 68% increase compared with 2024.
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) also reported a sharp rise in cases involving minors, receiving an average of 137 financial sextortion reports every day during 2025 - a 37% increase from the previous year.
The organisation has linked the crime to the deaths of at least three dozen teenage boys in the US, highlighting that adolescent males remain the primary targets of these scams.
What is sextortion?
Sextortion is a form of online blackmail in which criminals manipulate victims into sharing intimate images or videos before demanding money to prevent the content from being distributed.
The scammers typically threaten to send the material to the victim's family, friends, classmates or colleagues, creating intense emotional distress and pressure to comply with their demands.
Cybersecurity researchers say the psychological impact often begins long before any images are shared publicly.
Analysis of 5,000 victim reports reveals alarming trends
Researchers analysed more than 5,000 victim posts shared over five years on Reddit's r/sextortion community to better understand how these scams unfold.
The study categorised reports according to factors including whether victims paid the scammers, whether images were leaked, emotional distress, reporting behaviour and the platform where first contact occurred.
The findings paint a concerning picture.
More than a quarter of victims paid
Researchers found that 26% of victims reported paying the scammers.
Among those who made payments, 55% said the blackmail continued, with criminals demanding additional money rather than ending the threats.
Fear increases the likelihood of paying
Victims experiencing severe anxiety or fear were significantly more likely to pay.
According to the analysis, 30.4% of victims who described themselves as emotionally overwhelmed handed over money, compared with just 12.3% of those who remained relatively calm.
Cybersecurity experts note that panic often leads victims to make rushed decisions rather than following law enforcement advice to immediately block all communication.
Psychological impact is severe
The research found that 77% of victims reported experiencing significant psychological distress, even when their images had not been shared.
Perhaps most concerning, nearly 6% of victim reports mentioned suicidal thoughts or an inability to cope with the emotional pressure.
Few images are actually leaked
Despite the threats, only 1.4% of victims reported that their intimate images were ultimately distributed.
However, researchers caution that victims whose images were shared described long-term emotional trauma and lasting anxiety.
Most cases go unreported
The analysis found that only around 8% of victims said they reported the crime to police, an online reporting service or the platform where the scam occurred.
Researchers believe the true scale of sextortion is therefore likely far greater than official statistics suggest, with many victims choosing not to come forward because of embarrassment or fear.
Instagram remains the primary hunting ground
Instagram accounted for 41% of initial contact between scammers and victims, making it the most common platform used in reported cases.
It was followed by Snapchat (14%) and Telegram (13%).
Researchers say Instagram's public follower lists make it easy for criminals to identify a victim's family and friends, allowing them to strengthen blackmail threats by claiming they will distribute intimate content directly to those contacts.
Who is behind the scams?
Investigations by the Network Contagion Research Institute (NCRI) have linked much of the increase in financial sextortion to organised cybercriminal groups commonly known as the "Yahoo Boys", operating largely from West Africa.
Law enforcement agencies continue to pursue those responsible.
In February 2026, US authorities announced the extradition of a Nigerian national accused of participating in a sextortion scheme connected to the death of a teenage victim in Pennsylvania.
Researchers also found that online tutorials teaching criminals how to carry out sextortion scams have continued circulating on platforms including TikTok and Scribd, despite previous warnings from investigators.
How to protect yourself
Experts say awareness remains one of the strongest defences against sextortion.
Warning signs include:
- Someone you've recently met online quickly asking for intimate photos or videos.
- Conversations becoming sexual within minutes or shortly after making contact.
- Requests to move conversations to private messaging platforms.
- Pressure to send explicit content despite limited interaction.
Researchers found that scammers typically attempt to obtain explicit images within 30 to 60 minutes of first making contact.
Victims are advised never to pay demands, immediately stop communicating with the scammer, preserve evidence where possible and report the incident to the relevant platform and law enforcement authorities.
Experts stress that while genuine relationships can develop online, scammers deliberately exploit trust and emotion to manipulate victims into sending money, often with devastating consequences.
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