Don't abuse your power

Knowledge is power and in case of human relations wielding sensitive knowledge can be very powerful.

What is online blackmail?

‘Online blackmail’ is the act of threatening to share information about an individual (including images or video) to the public, their friends or family online, unless a demand is met.

Online blackmail can take place in any online service, website or app. Blackmailers may be more likely to make threats on private messaging services where images and videos can be shared. However, they may threaten to share information or images in more public social media services - such as their favourite social media platform.

Threats of defamation

Defamation is the main tool of black mailers. Victims of black mailers are threated by defamation. Typically black mailer relies on victims ignorance on law and the fear of defamation.

 

Extortion

Extortion and black mail are tightly bonded toghether. Acquired sensitive data by the black mailer is often used to obtain through coercion some benefit. This benefit may vary , it can be information, money, valuable items or more sensitive data .

Sextortion

Many people use webcams for flirting and cybersex - but sometimes people you meet online aren't who they say they are.

Criminals might befriend victims online by using a fake identity and then persuade them to perform sexual acts in front of their webcam, often by using an attractive woman to entice the victim to participate. These women may have been coerced into these actions using financial incentives or threats.

These webcam videos are recorded by the criminals who then threaten to share the images with the victims’ friends and family. This can make the victims feel extremely ashamed and embarrassed and, tragically, here in the UK at least four young men have taken their own lives after being targeted in this way.

Both men and women can be victims of this crime, either by being blackmailed or by being coerced into carrying out sexual acts.

The best way to stop yourself from becoming a victim is to be very careful about who you befriend with online, especially if you’re considering sharing anything intimate with them.