When Someone Threatens to Share Your Intimate Images

What Is Sextortion?

Sextortion is a serious crime where someone threatens to share intimate images or videos of you unless you give them what they want. This could be money, more intimate images, sexual acts, or anything else.

Sextortion happens when someone:

  • Has intimate images of you (or claims to have them) and demands payment to keep them private

  • Threatens to send intimate images to your family, friends, employer, or social media contacts

  • Uses intimate images to pressure you into sexual acts or creating more content

  • Demands money, gift cards, or cryptocurrency to prevent sharing your images

  • Uses fake or "deepfake" images they created and threatens to share them as if they're real

It doesn't matter if:

  • You originally sent the images yourself

  • You met the person online or in person

  • You were in a relationship with them

  • The images are real or fake

  • You've already paid them before

This Is Not Your Fault

If someone is threatening you with intimate images, you did nothing wrong. The person making threats is committing a serious crime, not you. You are the victim, not the perpetrator.

What You Should Do Right Now

1. Don't Pay or Give Them What They Want

  • Paying usually doesn't stop the threats - it often makes them worse

  • Sending more images or money tells them their threats are working

  • Document their demands instead of responding to them

2. Ensure Your Safety First

If you're concerned about your physical safety or if this involves domestic violence, contact:

  • National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233

  • Local law enforcement: 911

  • FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center: ic3.gov

3. Preserve the Evidence

Take screenshots of:

  • All threatening messages or demands

  • Any images or videos they've sent you

  • Their social media profiles or contact information

  • Payment demands (Bitcoin addresses, CashApp, Venmo, etc.)

  • Any evidence of how they got your images

4. Report the Crime

  • Local police: File a report immediately

  • FBI: Report online at ic3.gov or call your local FBI field office

  • Social media platforms: Report the threatening accounts

  • Financial institutions: If they demanded specific payment methods, report to those companies

5. Get Legal Help Immediately

Don't face this alone. Laws exist to protect you and punish sextortionists.

Your Legal Rights

Federal Crimes

Sextortion violates multiple federal laws:

  • 18 U.S.C. § 875: Interstate threatening communications

  • 18 U.S.C. § 2422: Coercion and enticement

  • 18 U.S.C. § 1030: Computer fraud (if they hacked your accounts)

  • 18 U.S.C. § 2251: Sexual exploitation (if you're under 18)

State Crimes

Most states have specific sextortion laws with penalties including:

  • Felony charges

  • Prison sentences up to 20 years

  • Required registration as a sex offender

  • Substantial fines

Civil Remedies

You may be able to sue for:

  • Money damages for emotional distress

  • Costs of therapy and counseling

  • Lost wages or educational opportunities

  • Attorney's fees and court costs

  • Injunctive relief to stop the behavior

How We Can Help

Immediate Legal Protection

  • Emergency court orders to stop the threats and sharing

  • Criminal referrals to law enforcement with proper evidence

  • Platform takedowns to remove content and block accounts

  • Asset freezing if they received payments from you or others

Investigation and Evidence

  • Work with cyber investigators to trace the perpetrator

  • Preserve digital evidence properly for court

  • Coordinate with law enforcement investigations

  • Document all damages for potential recovery

Long-term Legal Action

  • File civil lawsuits for monetary damages

  • Pursue criminal prosecution through proper channels

  • Obtain permanent restraining orders

  • Help with reputation repair and online content removal

Understanding Costs and Payment

We understand that sextortion victims often can't afford legal help when they need it most. Many perpetrators specifically target people they think can't fight back legally.

Our fee options include:

  • Pro bono representation for qualifying cases

  • Reduced fee arrangements based on your financial situation

  • Payment plans that work with your budget

  • Contingency arrangements in cases where recovery is possible

We will never turn away a sextortion victim because they can't afford a lawyer. Contact us to discuss your situation confidentially.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Should I pay them to make this go away? A: No. Paying rarely stops sextortion - it usually makes it worse because it shows the threats work. Document the demands and get legal help instead.

Q: What if they already shared some images? A: We can still help. There are ways to get content removed and prevent further sharing, plus hold them legally accountable.

Q: Will my name become public if we take legal action? A: Not necessarily. Courts often allow victims to use pseudonyms (fake names) in these cases to protect privacy.

Q: What if the person is in another country? A: We can still pursue legal action. Many sextortionists can be traced and prosecuted, even internationally.

Q: I'm embarrassed - do I really need to involve police? A: You have nothing to be embarrassed about. Law enforcement agencies are trained to handle these cases sensitively, and reporting helps protect other potential victims.

Q: What if I'm under 18? A: This makes the crime even more serious under federal law. Contact law enforcement and a lawyer immediately - there are special protections for minors.

Common Sextortion Tactics to Recognize

Online Dating Scams:

  • Someone you met online asks for intimate photos

  • They quickly want to move to private messaging apps

  • They may share fake photos of themselves

Social Media Blackmail:

  • Someone hacks your accounts or devices

  • They find private photos and threaten to share them publicly

  • They may impersonate you online

Financial Sextortion:

  • Demands for specific amounts of money

  • Requests for gift cards or cryptocurrency (harder to trace)

  • Escalating demands after initial payment

Contact Threats:

  • Threatening to send images to specific people in your life

  • Claims they have your contacts list

  • Threats to post on your social media accounts

Resources for Immediate Help

  • NCMEC CyberTipline: missingkids.com/gethelpnow/cybertipline

  • FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center: ic3.gov

  • Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

  • National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673

  • Less Than Three SC: lessthan3sc.org - South Carolina foundation providing sextortion awareness and suicide prevention resources

Take Action Today

Time is critical in sextortion cases. The sooner you get help, the better we can protect you and stop the threats.

Don't let fear or embarrassment stop you from getting help. You are not alone, and you have more power than you think.

Contact Gabriel Vincent Tese, Esq. at Spector Gadon Rosen Vinci, PC (gtese@sgrvlaw.com) today for a confidential consultation about your case. We have experience helping sextortion victims fight back and regain control of their lives.

Remember: You did nothing wrong. The person threatening you is the criminal. You deserve justice and protection, and we're here to help you get both.