Sextorted on ThaiFriendly? Read This Before You Pay

Infopackets Reader Jean Paul R. writes:

" Dear Dennis,

Please help - I'm being blackmailed on Instagram! I'm a 40-year-old guy from France, and unfortunately, I am the latest victim of a sextortion scam. I read some of your articles and posts - including the one about Sextorted After Trip to Thailand and Being Harassed on Instagram. To be honest, it's scary how similar my story is to the ones you've shared.

Last Wednesday, I matched with a curvy Thai girl on the ThaiFriendly app. At first she wanted to chat over Instagram, so I gave her my contact info and we chatted on there for a bit. She was very flirtatious. Things escalated quickly and she asked to see what I looked like, then asked me if I want to see more of her, and of course I said yes.

Next, she said we should switch to WhatsApp because the connection on Instagram was bad. Once there, she said she needed $10 for mobile data. It felt a bit sketchy, but I figured it was only 10 bucks - what's the worst that could happen?

About ten minutes later, she came back (or maybe it was someone else) and to my surprise she sent a short video showing my face and of me below the waist. Then, she sent screenshots of my Instagram followers and Facebook friends (including my sister), along with a demand for $200 or she would release the video to my contacts.

I panicked and paid to stop her from contacting more people. At first I tried to send money through PayPal, but it wouldn't work, so she said I had to pay through Remitly to a place in the Philippines. As expected, it wasn't over. A few hours later, she messaged me again and said her boss needed to be paid too - another $300 to delete more videos. Now I realize this is never going to end and the sextortion scammers keep calling me nonstop on WhatsApp and my phone. They are texting threats and showing me pictures of conversations they are having with people I know. I need this to stop ASAP and I'm not sure what to do. I NEED YOUR HELP!

Questions: Should I keep ignoring them? If they message another friend/family member, do I preemptively warn them? Should I report the phone numbers to cybercrime authorities in the Philippines? I have their names, screenshots, and the numbers. Would reporting them to Remitly do anything? Can they block the recipient or reverse the transfer? Should I block every number from them or just stay silent? "

My response:

I'll respond to your questions by breaking them down according to six common misconceptions about sextortion that likely led you into this situation.

Need help now? I've worked on over 1,000+ sextortion cases since 2019 and know how to prevent your exposure and shut the blackmailers down. Contact me here for a free 15-minute phone call consultation - I'm happy to answer your questions. When you contact me, you will also also receive two free reports that contain invaluable information: Five Strategies to Stall Blackmail Scammers and Not Pay Anything and Sextortion Survival Guide - Five Critical Mistakes to Avoid and What to Do Instead. These invaluable guides contain proven strategies to help you take control of the situation before it escalates.

Six Common Misconceptions about Sextortion

1. "It was only $10 - what's the worst that could happen?"

Misconception: Small payment = low risk.

Reality: The $10 "test payment" is a psychological trap. It's used to:

• Confirm that you're willing to pay.
   
• Link your real name or email to a financial account.

Once you pay, the scam kicks into high gear - and it proves you're vulnerable.

2. "They said they would delete the video if I paid."

Misconception: Payment = resolution.

Reality: Once you pay, you're marked as compliant. The blackmail scammers will never delete the content, because they will keep milking you for more. There is no incentive for them to stop if you're still responding and paying.

There is a better way to handle this - I can help. For example, I show victims how to take control by shifting the power dynamic - using methods like staged payment delays, fake error messages, and psychological tactics that throw scammers off balance without sending them a dime. At the same time, I provide strategies to protect against exposure, including how to prevent scammers from reaching out to friends, family, or your employer through social media or other channels. Interested in learning more? Contact me here. Experience makes all the difference.

3. "If I just pay one last time, maybe they will stop."

Misconception: One more payment = closure.

Reality: Each payment tells the blackmail scammer how much you're willing to give. If you paid $200, they know you're good for more and will increase the price the next ask - this is how to the scam goes 100% of the time. In the past, I've had clients say they paid a one-time sum and then didn't hear anything for a few hours and thought they were free of the blackmailers. Each time I'm told this, however, I say that the blackmailers will likely resurface in the coming hours or days - and each time, I'm proven right.

4. "I blocked them, so I'm safe now."

Misconception: Blocking = protection.

Reality: Blocking only cuts off your visibility, but it comes at a price: if the blackmail scammers can't get a hold of you, they are likely to escalate their threats (and some may prove the threats are real by reaching out to people you know to prove a point).

In the beginning, blackmail sextortion scammers typically use another phone number or another account to get a hold of you if you've blocked them. In JP's case, they originally asked to chat on Instagram to get his contacts; then it moved to WhatsApp (which required JP's phone number in order to communicate through WhatsApp). That's where things get crafty: once the scammers have your phone number they can do a reverse lookup and find your real first and last name, or they can message you directly via SMS text outside of WhatsApp should you block them. If they have your real name and phone number they can also look you up on social media and get your contacts assuming they haven't already.

The fact is: if you successfully block the scammers, you won't know what they are up to. While this may 'get them off your back', I argue that keeping communication open actually helps to keep tabs on what's happening. In my opinion, monitoring the situation will help you in the long run, but you will need to implement effective strategies to deter the scammers from escalating. I can help to achieve this without paying a cent to the blackmailers. Interested in learning more? Contact me here.

On that note: keep in mind that even if you block them, the blackmailers can still contact your friends and family and ask them to forward the blackmailer's message to you. I've seen this happen plenty of times. When they do this, they usually include parts of an indecent picture of you in a compromising position (usually a head shot) along with their request for you to contact them again in order to resume "negotiation" talks.

Need help now? I've worked on over 1,000+ sextortion cases and know how to prevent your exposure and shut the blackmailers down. Contact me here for a free 15-minute phone call consultation - I'm happy to answer your questions. When you contact me, you will also also receive two free reports that contain invaluable information: Five Strategies to Stall Blackmail Scammers and Not Pay Anything and Sextortion Survival Guide - Five Critical Mistakes to Avoid and What to Do Instead. These invaluable guides contain proven strategies to help you take control of the situation before it escalates.

5. "I should warn all my contacts before they get messaged."

Misconception: Warning everyone = protection.

Reality: Telling everyone that your account got hacked and not to open messages from strangers (for example) is one of the most common sextortion-fighting tactics victims use, speaking from experience. Unfortunately, this tactic DOES NOT WORK; and worse yet, it can backfire horribly. Scammers anticipate this move - because most victims try it - but they've developed devious ways to work around it, often in ways that blindside you completely and will leave you in utter shock. I've said this time and time again: what the scammers say and do are two different things - and that difference can not only lead to your exposure, but do so in a way you'll deeply regret.

Don't want this to happen to you? Contact me now and I'll explain everything you need to know about this scam, and how to stop the worst of the worst from happening to you - including how to stop them from contacting friends and family through social media. My rates are the most reasonable on the Internet and I guarantee you won't be disappointed with what I have to say. A 15 minute phone call is provided at no obligation to you. Ask me whatever you want.

6. "I sent screenshots and the name to Remitly, so they will stop it."

Misconception: Reporting = scam shut down.

Reality: You might get the account banned, but scammers will just use one of their 50+ fake accounts they use on rotation to keep the money flowing. These are professional operations that cycle fake IDs, emails, and names constantly. The same thing goes for reporting the blackmailers on Instagram or Facebook. It won't do anything to stop them from reaching out and following through with their threats.

Want to end the nightmare now? Contact me here - I'll show you how to shut it down the right way.

What to Do Next: Your Questions Answered

If you've already paid and are now being harassed, you are stuck in a high-pressure game of psychological warfare. This is where most victims get trapped - by believing myths that feel logical in the moment but are completely false in practice.

Here's what I recommend based on your case:

• Do not pay again, under any circumstance. This is easier said than done and requires strategy and a deep understanding of scammers' tricks and traps they have set for you that force you to pay (I can help you to understand this based on 1,000+ cases I've worked on - contact me here if you want assistance). The fact is, this scam is designed to keep escalating. The $200 and $300 payments are just the beginning; if you send more, the blackmailers will invent new reasons to demand additional funds (like their "boss" needing money). This is classic scammer behavior and happens 100% of the time. Be careful here - if you try to stall or delay them without a proper plan, they will eventually call your bluff and escalate. That's why I use proven strategies, like faking payments to buy time and regain control without provoking them.
   
• If you've already paid, the money's gone. Most scammers will have you send money in ways that can't be retracted. This applies to any money sent by wire, by gift card, by Remitly (similar to wire transfer), or by PayPal. In the latter case, they usually have you send the money using the 'friends and family' option, which means you won't be able to get it back despite any evidence you provide to PayPal.
   
• Do not block them just yet. I understand it's tempting to block all numbers and hide from the scammers, but this can actually make the situation worse. Once you're unreachable, many scammers escalate by reaching out to your contacts directly. Instead, I argue that it's better to string them along and observe, then gather intel so that you can react in a way that gives them no power. I can show you how to monitor the scammers' activity safely while keeping control of the situation, all the while preventing your exposure and without paying them anything.
  
  Don't wait for things to spiral out of control - contact me here and let's get this resolved ASAP. I offer the best rates and provide the best service, backed by our A+ rating on the BBB with ZERO complaints - EVER - in the 24 years I've been online.
   
• Avoid warning your contacts right now. Many victims think alerting friends and family will lessen the blow if the blackmailers follow through. But premature warnings often backfire horrendously - I've seen it happen - plus, it will create unnecessary panic. There's a much better way to handle this - I have a plan - and I can help you, too, based on 1,000+ cases I've worked on since 2019. Contact me here.
   
• Reporting the blackmailers won't stop them. Whether you decide to contact Remitly (where you sent the funds), the IC3 (FBI), Instagram or Facebook, or the police - it won't do anything to prevent your exposure because these are organized overseas gangs using fake names and burner accounts. Even if one gets banned, they have dozens of backups and ways to follow through with their threats if they choose to do so. While reporting may help agencies track overall victim trends, it won't do anything to protect you in the short term.
   
• The only effective strategy is to take proactive, informed steps. This will help to to deflect their tactics, reduce your exposure, and make yourself a less valuable target. I've helped hundreds of people shut this down successfully without paying a cent beyond the initial mistake. I can help you, too. Contact me here.

Don't Let Scammers Control the Narrative - Take It Back With My Help

If you're being targeted right now, I can guide you step by step through what to do - and what not to do - to protect yourself and avoid further damage.

This includes:

• Proven methods to prevent the blackmailers from reaching through to friends, family, or employer
   
• Screenshots from previous cases I've worked on to show you the worst of what the scammers do - and how to counter it
   
• Ways to monitor scammer behavior without triggering escalation
   
• What steps to take before going silent (timing matters)
   
• What to say if someone has already been contacted
   
• How to lock down your accounts the right way (most people miss key steps)

Every situation is different - but with my help, you'll have a real strategy based on real sextortion cases I've handled personally.

Remember, you don't have to go through this alone.

I've personally worked on over 1,000+ sextortion cases since 2019, helping victims from all walks of life - from students and professionals to doctors and CEOs. This hands-on experience has given me a deep understanding of how these scams operate, what triggers escalation, and exactly how to defuse the threats. I don't just offer generic advice - I provide proven, real-world strategies tailored to each situation so you can regain control and avoid exposure.

If you're being blackmailed right now, don't wait and hope it goes away - it won't. I can show you exactly what to do next based on proven results from real cases just like yours.

Contact me now for immediate help - your privacy and peace of mind depend on it.

About the author: Dennis Faas is the CEO and owner of Infopackets.com. Since 2001, Dennis has dedicated his entire professional career helping others with technology-related issues with his unique style of writing in the form of questions-and-answers; click here to read all 2,000+ of Dennis' articles online this site. In 2014, Dennis shifted his focus to cyber crime mitigation, including technical support fraud and in 2019, online blackmail. Dennis has received many accolades during his tenure: click here to view Dennis' credentials online DennisFaas.com; click here to see Dennis' Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science (1999); click here to read an article written about Dennis by Alan Gardyne of Associate Programs (2003). And finally, click here to view a recommendation for Dennis' services from the University of Florida (dated 2006).