Building new connections online is part of everyday life, but it does come with risks.
Sometimes scammers pose as people wanting to have an intimate online experience with you, but then try to blackmail you.
With image-based blackmail or sexual extortion, a scammer threatens to share intimate photos of you unless you pay them.
This is Jack. He thinks he's chatting to a friend of a friend online.
Scammers are extremely manipulative and they're everywhere.
On online dating sites, social media, messaging services and gaming apps.
Remember, scammers are out to deceive you and once they start exchanging images, they'll ask you for intimate photos or videos. Just like what's happening here to Jack.
And once they have compromising images, they'll make demands for payments via cryptocurrency, gift cards, or bank transfer.
They'll threaten to share those images with his family, friends, or coworkers if he doesn't pay up.
And it's not only a case of you sending photos to them.
Scammers can also capture intimate images of you while you are live streaming or on video without your knowledge.
And while some messaging apps say images are only available for a short time, it doesn't stop scammers from taking a screenshot and then they have it forever.
The scammer wants you to feel scared, anxious, betrayed, angry or humiliated.
They're trying to intimidate you so you don't seek help and you feel pressured to pay them.
Don't transfer any money in exchange for deleting the images or videos.
If you give the scammers what they want, they'll just keep asking for more.
So slow down Jack, and think.
Instead of giving them what they want, stop.
Good work, Jack.
As soon as someone asks for intimate images, stop and check in with yourself about how you would feel if other people saw those images.
And if you've already started sending them, stop.
Don't send anymore and don't pay them money.
Also, check.
If you are not sure if someone online is genuine, talk to a person you trust to get their view.
Finally, protect yourself by acting quickly if you've been the target of image-based blackmail, stop all communication immediately.
Block them.
Take screenshots of the messages and profile, and report it to the platform.
Secure your social media accounts.
Blackmailers usually give up when they realise you won't pay, but if they do share your intimate images or videos online, you can report it to eSafety and they will help you to get it removed.
There are also criminal laws that cover image-based abuse, so the police may be able to investigate if that's what you want.
You are not alone.
People can help and they will understand. If you're under 25 like Jack and need to talk to someone confidentially, you can call or chat online with the kids helpline.
Others can call or text and chat to Lifeline.
And don't forget to report your scam to Scamwatch.
You can do so anonymously.
Your report will help us to protect others.
