Sextortion is EVERYONES PROBLEM. This isn’t just a children and teens thing, it’s adults too. The FBI says year over year this crime is increasing. And it’s affecting families, their livelihoods, and their businesses. Make no mistake, Sextortion affects you, our government, your organization, its security, your employees, their productivity, whether or not they may embezzle money from your organization to pay for the scammers demands and SO much more.

Sextortionist: “I Own You. I’m GoIng to RUIN you. I’m Publishing Your NOODS!”

The level of desperation in which the victims elevate to has resulted in multiple suicides. If a victim of sextortion is that distraught, that desperate, what other measures might they take? Where else might desperation direct them? How else might it mess with their lives? We’ve seen dozens, if not hundreds of examples of desperate people doing desperate things.

This author is in the new Netflix Series ASHLEY MADISON; Sex Lies & Scandal Episode 2 “We Got Hacked” @ 25:30 as an expert discussing the data breach on FOX NEWS. The show is trending on Netflix! I’m also briefly in episode three and in the credits. Whether or not you’re into these “juicy” salacious shows, my brief contribution is professional, and it demonstrates my expertise very well.

I bring up Ashley Madison because that site along with Grindr, Instagram, Facebook, and just about any other site, where human contact begins, and could result in nude photos being exchanged, are being targeted by criminals. Heck, it’s even beginning with the stupid lame text messages were getting now.

What is Sextortion?

Sextortion is a form of online sexual exploitation where a perpetrator threatens to share intimate or sexually explicit images or videos of a victim unless they comply with certain demands. These demands can range from extorting money to coercing the victim into producing more explicit content or engaging in other sexual acts.

Sextortion typically begins when a perpetrator gains access to sensitive images or videos of a victim, often through hacking, social engineering, or by convincing the victim to share the content themselves. The perpetrator then uses these materials as leverage to blackmail and exploit the victim.

The threats made by sextortionists can be severe, including publicly releasing the compromising content, sharing it with the victim’s family, friends, or employer, or even threatening physical harm. This creates an environment of fear and coercion, where victims feel compelled to comply with the demands to avoid the devastating consequences of having their private content exposed.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has exacerbated the severity of sextortion in several ways. The “victim” doesn’t even need to be “nude” to be a victim.

Artificial Intelligence Role in Sextortion

1. Creation of Realistic Fake Explicit Images: AI technology, particularly generative AI models can be used to create highly realistic and convincing fake explicit images of victims. These AI-generated images can be indistinguishable from real photographs, making the threats of releasing them more credible and increasing the leverage over victims.

2. Increased Reach and Scalability: AI can automate and scale up sextortion operations, allowing perpetrators to target a larger number of victims simultaneously. AI-powered tools can scrape social media for potential targets, generate fake profiles for grooming, and even automate the extortion process itself.

3. Targeting Minors: AI has made it easier for perpetrators to create fake explicit images of minors, putting underage victims at heightened risk of exploitation and severe psychological trauma. The FBI has reported an alarming increase in sextortion cases involving minors, with AI playing a significant role.

4. Deepfake Technology: AI-powered deepfake technology can be used to create realistic fake videos by superimposing a victim’s face onto explicit content, further increasing the credibility of the threats and the potential for harm.

5. Difficulty in Detection and Removal: AI-generated explicit content can be challenging to detect and remove from the internet, as it may not be flagged by traditional content moderation systems designed to detect real explicit material. This increases the potential for widespread dissemination and long-lasting reputational damage.

By leveraging AI, sextortionists can create more convincing and credible threats, target a broader range of victims, including minors, and operate at a larger scale, amplifying the psychological and emotional impact on victims and making it more difficult to combat this form of online exploitation.

Common Sextortion Tactics

Sextortionists employ various tactics to lure and manipulate their victims, including:

1. Hacking and Malware: Perpetrators may hack into the victim’s devices or accounts to steal private images or videos, or use malware to gain remote access and control over their webcams or files.

2. Catfishing and Online Relationships: Sextortionists may create fake online personas and engage in romantic or friendly conversations with the victim, gradually building trust and convincing them to share explicit content.

3. Impersonation and Deepfakes: In some cases, perpetrators may use deepfake technology to create realistic but fabricated explicit images or videos of the victim, which they then use for blackmail.

4. Sextortion Scams: Victims may receive unsolicited emails or messages claiming that the perpetrator has compromising videos or images of them, demanding payment to prevent the content from being released, even if no such content exists.

Victims of Sextortion

While anyone with a digital presence can potentially become a victim of sextortion, certain groups are more vulnerable:

Minors and Young Adults: Sextortionists often target minors and young adults, who may be more susceptible to online manipulation and less aware of the risks involved in sharing explicit content.

LGBTQ+ Individuals: Members of the LGBTQ+ community may be specifically targeted due to the potential for increased stigma and discrimination if their private content is exposed.

Public Figures and Celebrities: High-profile individuals, such as celebrities or politicians, can be lucrative targets for sextortionists seeking financial gain or leverage.

Consequences of Sextortion

Sextortion can have severe and long-lasting consequences for victims, including:

Emotional Trauma: Victims often experience significant emotional distress, anxiety, depression, and feelings of shame and humiliation.

Reputational Damage: The release of private content can lead to damage to the victim’s personal and professional reputation, as well as strained relationships with family and friends.

Financial Loss: Victims may face financial losses due to extortion demands or the need to seek legal assistance and counseling.

Legal Implications: In some cases, the production or distribution of explicit content involving minors can lead to criminal charges, even if the victim was coerced or unaware.

Preventing and Responding to Sextortion

Preventing sextortion requires a multi-faceted approach, including:

1. Education and Awareness: Raising awareness about sextortion tactics and the risks of sharing explicit content online can help individuals make informed decisions and recognize potential threats.

2. Cybersecurity Measures: Implementing strong cybersecurity practices, such as using secure passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and keeping software and devices up-to-date, can help protect against hacking and unauthorized access.

3. Reporting and Support: Victims of sextortion should report the incident to the appropriate authorities, such as law enforcement agencies or cybercrime units, and seek support from counseling services or victim advocacy organizations.

4. Legal Action: In some cases, legal action may be necessary to hold perpetrators accountable and seek justice for the harm caused.

Sextortion is a serious form of online exploitation that can have devastating consequences for victims. It is important that we have “uncomfortable” conversations with each other about this crime and how it affects us and raise awareness to stop it from happening. By raising awareness, implementing preventive measures, and providing support and resources for victims, we can work towards combating this insidious crime and protecting individuals from falling prey to sextortionists.

ROBERT SICILIANO CSP, is a #1 Best Selling Amazon author, and the architect of the CSI Protection certification; a Cyber Social and Identity and Personal Protection security awareness training program.