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Sextortion: extortion by e-mail
In sextortion, offenders claim by e-mail to have filmed you via your webcam and demand payment in cryptocurrency. As a rule this is a mass bluff with no real material.
Updated: 2026-06-19
Immediate steps
- 1Do not pay and do not reply — any reaction only confirms the address is active.
- 2Preserve the e-mail including headers as evidence (screenshot, keep the original).
- 3If it quotes a real password of yours: it usually comes from an old data leak — run a leak check and change affected passwords.
- 4Secure important accounts with two-factor authentication.
- 5Report the mail; for a concrete threat or if minors are involved, file a police report.
What not to do
- Never pay — payment only leads to further demands.
- Do not open links or attachments in the mail.
- Do not act in panic — the threat scenario is part of the scheme.
When professional help makes sense
If the e-mail contains real data of yours or you are unsure how serious it is, we assess the risk, check where the data came from and name the next steps — discreetly.
Get in touchCommon questions
- The mail quotes my real password — is that dangerous?
- It usually comes from an old data leak, not a hack of your device. Change the password everywhere it is still used and enable 2FA.
- Do the offenders really have footage?
- In the vast majority of cases, no — these are mass mails with no real material.
- Should I file a report?
- Yes, especially for a concrete threat or if minors are involved. Preserve the evidence first.