FTC Warns Sextortion Victims About Fake Help Services

The FTC is warning people facing sextortion threats to be careful when searching for paid help online. Sextortion is when someone threatens to share intimate images unless you pay, and the FTC says some companies promise fast fixes but may add a large bill without solving the problem.

According to FTC Consumer Advice, one example is Digital Forensics, a company behind sites including BlackmailHelpline.com, DigitalForensics.com, CyberBlackmail911.com, and SecurityBreach911.com. The FTC says it has filed a lawsuit alleging the company made false promises to stop threats, keep explicit material from spreading, and report criminals to authorities.

What happened

The FTC says Digital Forensics charged customers thousands of dollars for help during sextortion emergencies, but did not deliver what it promised. The agency alleges the company claimed it could stop attackers, identify them, prevent images from being shared, and contact law enforcement.

The Record, citing the FTC complaint, reported that the company allegedly collected at least $60 million from people seeking help between February 2023 and July 2026. According to The Record, the FTC complaint says customers were pushed into paying for services that ranged from $1,499 to $20,000, and some were later pressured to buy more help.

The FTC says victims should be wary of companies that promise they can make a sextortion problem disappear quickly for a fee. It also says people should look for real support instead of paying a company that uses fear to close a sale.

Who is affected

This warning matters for adults, teens, parents, service members, married people, and anyone else being threatened over intimate images. The FTC says sextortion threats can feel overwhelming, which makes victims more likely to believe a company that claims it can fix everything fast.

The Record reported that the FTC complaint says Digital Forensics used sales scripts aimed at specific fears. For example, the complaint says military victims were warned about career consequences, while married victims were told attackers could target spouses and in-laws.

The FTC has not said every sextortion help service is fraudulent. But it is telling consumers to slow down, check claims carefully, and avoid paying based on panic.

What to do now

1. Do not pay the person threatening you. The FTC says paying can make things worse because the attacker may keep asking for more money.

2. Save the evidence. Take screenshots of the messages, profile names, payment demands, phone numbers, usernames, and links before blocking the person.

3. Report the threat. Use the FTC’s guidance and report fraud at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If the victim is a minor, the FTC points people to help from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.

4. Block the attacker after saving evidence. The FTC says you can block the person once you have kept records of what happened.

5. Be careful with paid “help” sites. Before hiring anyone, search the company name with words like “complaint,” “review,” and “scam.” Be suspicious of guarantees that they can erase images, find the attacker, or stop all sharing.

6. Tell someone you trust. A parent, partner, close friend, school counselor, or local law enforcement contact can help you think clearly before money changes hands.

CyberSec24 recommends treating sextortion as both a scam and a personal safety issue. Panic helps the scammer and can also help a questionable service sell you something you do not need.