3 Moves to Stop Online Blackmail Now 

Online blackmail, or sextortion, is a digital nightmare. It usually starts with a threat: someone says they have explicit content of you, and unless you send money, more content, or do what they say, they'll release it to friends, family, or the public. It's terrifying. It can feel like your world is hanging by a thread. But there's a way out of this. 

At Horn Wright, LLP, we’ve helped countless people respond quickly and discreetly to online blackmail. We act fast, preserving evidence, removing intimate content, and shutting down attackers. Our approach is methodical and effective. You don’t have to face this alone. We’re here to help you regain control, one smart move at a time. 

Move 1: Secure the Evidence, Cut the Line 

Identify the Threat and Your Objective 

Before anything else, get clear on what's happening. What is the person threatening? Is it to leak photos, expose chats, impersonate you, or ruin your reputation? And what do they want from you? Money? Silence? More content? Knowing the threat helps you stay focused. Your objective is to protect yourself and stop the spread, not to talk them down or make them understand. This isn’t a negotiation. It’s a containment mission. 

Capture Everything: Chats, Handles, Links, Call Logs 

Start gathering proof right away. Take screenshots of every message, every username, every video call log. If they sent links, save those too. If they’re messaging from different platforms (Instagram, WhatsApp, Snapchat), collect it all. Don’t trust that it will stay in your chat history. Get it in your hands. 

Screenshot Correctly: Full Frame + Visible Timestamps 

Your screenshots need to be useful. That means full-screen images, not cropped pieces. Include timestamps and usernames. This helps establish a timeline and identify who’s behind the messages. Use scroll capture or screen recording if the messages are long. Better to over-document than miss something critical. 

Record the Money Trail: Wallet IDs, Requests, Receipts 

If the blackmailer is demanding payment, collect that data too. Screenshot Venmo or Cash App handles, PayPal links, or crypto wallet addresses. If you’ve sent money, save the transaction receipts. This trail matters not just for law enforcement, but also for proving your case to platforms and investigators. 

Build an “Evidence – YYYY-MM-DD” Folder (Clean Names) 

Organize it. Create a folder titled with today’s date and a label like "Evidence". Inside, save files with clear, searchable names. Skip vague labels like “image1” or “screenshot_final”. Try "2025-10-18_Instagram_threat_msg" instead. When stress is high, clear file names make life easier. 

Keep a Running Incident Log (Date, Channel, Threat, Ask, Action) 

Start a simple doc or spreadsheet. Track each contact attempt: when it happened, which platform, what they said, what they wanted, and what you did. This will help you see patterns and keep your response grounded. 

Block Everywhere: Stop Replying, Calling, or Videoing 

Once you've got your evidence, it's time to go dark. Block the attacker on every platform. Don’t answer calls. Don’t respond to new threats. Don’t engage. Every interaction gives them leverage. Silence takes their power away. 

Don’t Pay, Don’t Promise, Don’t Explain: Ever 

No matter how convincing or terrifying the threats get, don’t send money. Don’t try to reason with them. Don’t explain your situation. Any reaction fuels their efforts. They thrive on control. Withholding attention and resources is your first form of self-defense. 

Track Any New or Duplicate Accounts They Spin up 

Stay alert. These people often make new accounts if you block them. Search for your own name and photos on social platforms. If you find impersonations or fake accounts, take screenshots and add them to your folder. Then block and report them too. 

Move 2: Fortify Access, Control the Narrative 

Reset in Order: Email → Socials → Cloud 

Start your reset sequence with email. It’s the key to everything else. Next, change your social media passwords. Then hit your cloud storage accounts like Google Drive or iCloud. Use strong, unique passwords for each. Don’t reuse old ones. 

Turn On 2FA with an Authenticator App (Not SMS) 

Two-factor authentication protects your accounts even if someone has your password. But skip SMS verification. It's too easy to hijack. Use an authenticator app like Authy or Google Authenticator. Once it’s on, test it yourself. Make sure it works. 

Kill Unknown Sessions and Third-Party App Tokens 

Many platforms let you see where your account is logged in. Log out of all sessions you don’t recognize. Then go to your connected apps and revoke access to anything you don’t trust. This step closes hidden doors into your digital life. 

Add a Carrier PIN to Block SIM Swaps 

Call your phone provider and ask to add a PIN or passcode to your account. This helps stop SIM-swapping, a scam where someone hijacks your phone number to steal text-based login codes. 

Update Your Password Manager and Recovery Info 

If you use a password manager (you should), update it with your new logins. Also, double-check your recovery email and phone number for each account. Make sure they point to you—not your attacker. 

Map Your “Blast Radius”: Partner, Family, Boss, Key Clients 

Think through who might be impacted if the blackmailer follows through. Maybe it’s your spouse. Maybe it’s your employer. Maybe a client or a teen child. This is your blast radius, and knowing it helps you get ahead of the fallout. 

Draft Two-Line Disclosures (Brief, Factual, Non-Graphic) 

Prepare a simple message you can use if needed. Keep it short, factual, and calm. For example: "Someone is targeting me with fake or private content. I’ve taken legal steps to stop it." No drama. No shame. 

Choose Timing: Preemptive vs. Reactive 

Decide whether to warn people before anything leaks or wait and react. There's no right answer, but either way, have your message ready. If the risk is high, preemptive is usually better. 

Set Profile Limits and Comment Controls Before Posting 

Lock down your social accounts. Limit who can comment, message, or tag you. Hide past posts if needed. This isn’t hiding; it’s protecting. Adjust your settings before posting anything new. 

Move 3: Report, Remove, and Escalate When Needed 

Report Sextortion to IC3 (FBI) and Local Police (When Useful) 

File a report with the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3.gov). It's run by the FBI and tracks patterns in online extortion. If you're underage or the threats are local, also file with the local police department and bring your evidence folder. 

Use Platform NCII/Abuse Portals with Full Evidence 

Most platforms (Meta, X, TikTok, Reddit) now have portals for reporting non-consensual intimate imagery (NCII). Submit full screenshots and timestamps. Include your case number if you have one. 

Submit Removals on Adult Sites; Track Every URL 

If any explicit content has been posted, file a takedown request on every site you find it on. Use their reporting forms and follow their steps. Save confirmation emails and track the URLs. 

Re-File for Mirrors; Escalate Using Case Numbers 

Content often resurfaces on other sites. Resubmit takedown requests with your original case number. The faster you re-file, the better your chance of removal before it spreads. 

Engage a Lawyer/Digital Crisis Team for High-Stakes Cases 

If the blackmail involves minors, public figures, or ongoing harassment, bring in legal support. Lawyers can send cease-and-desist letters, subpoena platform data, and coordinate removals at scale. 

Coordinate Platform Escalations and Media Posture 

If your case goes public, especially on news sites or forums, control your narrative. Avoid emotional responses. Have a statement ready. Coordinate with legal counsel before speaking to media or sharing updates. 

If They Already Posted (Rapid Damage Control) 

Don’t Engage Publicly: No Comments, No Shares 

Even if you're furious, don’t reply to posts or comment on content. Don’t ask others to share or flag it publicly. That drives more traffic and makes removal harder. 

Fast-Track Takedowns with Existing Case Numbers 

Use the case numbers from your previous takedown requests to push platforms to act faster. Include screenshots, report IDs, and email threads. 

Log Spread Patterns; Request Search De-Indexing 

Track where the content is spreading—forums, sites, or social platforms. Use Google’s de-indexing tools to request removal from search results, even if the content itself remains online. 

Update Disclosures and Tighten Privacy Settings 

If people in your blast radius are finding out, update them. Stick to your two-line disclosure. Then double-check your account settings again. Make sure new leaks can’t find open doors. 

Horn Wright, LLP, Can Help Right Now 

If you're dealing with sextortion or online blackmail, Horn Wright, LLP is here to protect your future. Our team works fast to preserve your privacy, remove explicit content, and shut down harassers. We act discreetly and decisively, giving you a clear plan of action and the peace of mind that comes with having the right team by your side.  

Don’t wait. We’re ready to help. Contact our office today for a FREE consultation.