Spanish Sexting Scam Turns into WhatsApp Blackmail

Infopackets Reader Alejandro M. writes:

" Dear Dennis,

I stumbled across your website and read your articles on Sextorted on ThaiFriendly and Being Harassed on Instagram.

I have a similar situation. A week ago I joined a Spanish sexting group that was recommended in a forum online. It looked active and legit, so I figured I'd give it a go. Not long after, I matched up with an attractive woman that supposedly lives near me. She seemed completely normal - polite, and even a little reserved. The texts were sporadic but eventually picked up steam, at which point she asked me to move over to WhatsApp for 'more privacy.'

In the following days, she repeatedly texted me at work. She would send me naughty pictures of herself all the while being coy, and eventually convinced me to go to the men's bathroom and take a picture of me below the waist, repeatedly asking to see my face as well. As soon as I did that, she texted back my Facebook profile, including where I work, with threats to send the pictures to my boss and also my friends and family unless I paid $150.

She told me I had 10 minutes to pay or she would expose me. I panicked and paid through CashApp. A few hours later she messaged me back and said she needed another $300 to help pay for her mother's day surgery. I know this is most likely fake and she's just going to keep asking for more.

On top of that, I'm getting a constant barrage of text messages from other women asking to see what I look like. I'm suspicious to say the least. I've already made the mistake of paying once and I'm terrified what will happen next. What are the chances the blackmailer will follow through? "

Related:

• Why Sextortionists Use CashApp (and How to Stay Protected)
• Do Blackmailers Follow Through? (And What to Expect)
• Being Blackmailed for Money on Facebook? - Here's What to Do
• Being Blackmailed on Instagram? - Here's What to Do
• How Long Does Sextortion Last?
• Sextortion - What to Do (and What Not to Do)

My response:

Thanks for your message. You are right to be suspicious of the 'other women' texting you - it is probably the same scammer doubling down on his efforts. I have seen that exact scenario play out time and time again based on testimonials whenever I have a phone consultation with sextortion victims.

I'll answer your questions a bit further down - but first, let's look at some commonalities with your case version other sextortion cases I've worked on in the past.

Are you caught up in a sextortion scheme? 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 for good. 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.

Use of Adult Chat Groups as a Honeypot

One of the most effective traps scammers use today is the manipulation of so-called "adult chat groups" on platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Discord. These aren't random direct messages (DMs) from strangers - they're structured setups.

Scammers will either infiltrate existing groups that are already active or go one step further and create their own from scratch, seeding them with fake profiles, with AI chat bots making it seem like the space is active, along with explicit images to make the group appear authentic.

The goal is simple: create a false sense of security and community. When a victim joins a group that appears active, diverse, and filled with consensual adult exchanges, their guard goes down. Messages from other users in the group - often friendly, casual, or flirtatious - reinforce the illusion that it's a real place to meet like-minded adults. Victims begin to engage, and that's when the scammer makes contact, often in a private message.

Rapid Escalation to Private Chat

Once initial contact is made in the group, scammers waste no time pushing the conversation into a private space - usually WhatsApp or direct messaging. The goal here is to isolate the victim as quickly as possible, where there are no witnesses, no moderators, and no risk of the scam being exposed by other group members.

That said, the transition to WhatsApp is a critical part of the setup. Scammers will often initiate contact with friendly or flirty messages in the group, then pivot quickly with a line like, "let's chat privately" or "too many people watching here." This creates a false sense of exclusivity and builds the illusion of a personal connection. To the victim, it feels like they've been singled out for something genuine - but in reality, it's part of a script designed to take control of the situation.

What most victims don't realize is that moving to WhatsApp means giving out their phone number - and that's where the trap tightens. Unlike anonymous usernames on Telegram or Discord, WhatsApp accounts are tied directly to your mobile number. Once the scammer has that, they can do a reverse lookup to find out your first and last name, then go on social media to find your contacts, or use people-finder databases such as BeenVerified, or even plug the number into apps that cross-reference names, email addresses, or other public information. The list goes on.

Are you caught up in a sextortion scheme? 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.

Fake Intimacy and Consent

Once the victim has been isolated in a private chat, the scammer begins a psychological manipulation. Quite often the scammer mirrors the victim's tone, often says they live nearby, responds quickly, offers flattery, and shares just enough fake personal information to seem real - sometimes even using stolen photos or pre-recorded videos to pose as an attractive person.

The conversation becomes flirtatious, then gets hot and heavy. The scammer may send provocative photos first (some are AI-generated, others are actually previous sextortion female victims from encounters with blackmailers). Whenever a video call is suggested, more often than not, her 'microphone is broken' and she can't speak directly to you (so she types away instead), but as soon as you answer the call she's usually fist deep 'playing the banjo' and then asks you to join in on the fun. This is where you get caught with your pants down and are secretly recorded.

Not sure what to do? Overwhelmed and need answers now? Contact me now and let's talk it through - no pressure, no judgment. I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation where you can ask anything. I’ve helped over 1,000+ clients since 2019 shut these scammers down for good. If you're being targeted, you don’t have to deal with this alone. Send me a message through my contact form, and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible. I can help you, too.

Immediate Threats and Psychological Pressure

The moment the sextortion blackmailers receive your explicit content, the tone shifts instantly - from flirtatious to threatening. The scammer becomes aggressive, calculated, and cold. What once felt like a private, consensual exchange is now a hostage situation.

They begin with a blunt declaration: "I have your photos. I recorded everything." Then, they escalate - fast. Screenshots are sent as proof. The victim's social media is named; friends and family are listed. If they know who your wife or girlfriend is, she is the number one target of the threats. In many cases, the scammer will even draft messages with their intent to send the explicit content out - complete with names of recipients, links, or blurred previews.

Use of Countdown Clocks or "Final Warnings"

Scammers then apply intense psychological pressure to overwhelm the victim and shut down rational thinking - all to keep the money flowing. Phrases like "You have 10 minutes or I send everything" are standard fare in these threats. Alejandro experienced this exact tactic firsthand.

Initial Low Payment Demand via Anonymous Methods

Scammers typically ask for a manageable sum first - usually between $100 to $300 - sent via PayPal Friends & Family, CashApp, or even by purchasing and revealing PIN numbers on gift cards. These payment methods are irreversible. In this case, Alejandro was asked to send $150 via CashApp - which fits the profile exactly.

Are you caught up in a sextortion scheme? 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.

Further Demands After First Payment

Once the scammer receives the first payment, they often say the amount wasn't enough, that the victim took too long, the funds didn't transfer, or that "their boss" wants more, and similar. This is classic escalation and is designed to trap the victim in a loop of panic payments. In Alejandro's case, the scammer doubled the demand immediately after the first transfer - another hallmark tactic.

Threats Continue Even If Victim Stops Responding

Silence rarely ever makes the scammer go away - in fact, it can make things worse because the scammers spent time grooming you and want to be paid. Many will continue sending aggressive messages, threats, or even proof that they've started sharing the content. This prolongs the victim's psychological torment, as Alejandro describes with his continued anxiety every time his phone buzzes.

Your Question Answered: Will the Blackmailer Follow Through?

This is the question everyone asks - and the answer isn't black and white.

Based on the 1,000+ cases I've reviewed, some blackmailers bluff, some follow through with limited exposure, and some blackmailers go the extra mile to make your life miserable. This is especially true if they believe you're worth their time, or if the scammer you're dealing with is hell bent in getting his jollies exposing victims. I've actually seen this happen.

Therefore, the risk of exposure sits around 50% - either they are going to do it, or they're not - and this largely depends on what information the sextortion blackmail scammer has on you, how much you've got to lose, and whether or not you've already paid, as I've mentioned many times in the past.

If the blackmailers have your Facebook or Instagram, workplace, real name, or connections - and especially if they know you're afraid - then the risk is higher. Some scammers will send screenshots of them communicating with people you know to show you they mean business, while others will simply provide a list of names taken from your profile(s) with intent, and some will send back screenshots of your conversation you had with them in order to spook you.

The Bottom Line

If you have little to lose - no identifiable social media, no ties they can exploit, no workplace exposure - the smartest move is often to block them, lock everything down, and walk away.

But if your name, job, or family can be easily connected to the material - or if you're still receiving threats - you need a plan, and fast. That's where I can help.

Need Help Shutting This Down? I have a Plan that Works

If you're still receiving threats, or you're unsure how to proceed, I offer one-on-one support with victims of sextortion. Since 2019, I've worked on well over 1,000+ cases and have plenty of experience in assisting clients just like you. I'll walk you through exactly how to cut off the blackmail scammer, protect your identity, and regain your peace of mind - step by step.

If you hire me, you will:

• Get a personalized action plan based on 1,000+ real cases I've worked on, complete with a quick start guide
   
• Learn how to stop scammers from contacting your friends and family - and why doing it the wrong way can make things worse
   
• Learn the dirty tricks and traps scammers use to force you to pay and how to avoid exposure - fast
   
• Know exactly what to say to the calm the scammer down so they don't escalate
   
• Use proven strategies to stall the scammer and regain control - without paying a dime
   
• Get expert guidance on how to prepare for the worst-case scenarios - just in case
   
• Know what to do if they've already sent something using pre-existing contingencies - yes, there's still hope
   
• Proactively protect your job, your family, your reputation - before they make contact
   
• Receive 60 days of support by phone and email - zero pressure, total discretion

Don't wait for the scammer to make the next move. One wrong step can be disastrous - but with the right plan, you can shut this down before it spirals out of control. You don't have to face this alone. I've helped people just like you walk away clean. Email me now and take back control and let's talk about it. You can ask me anything you want - consultation by phone is free (up to 15 minutes).

Reminder: we are Better Business Bureau accredited with an A+ rating on the BBB with ZERO complaints - EVER - in the 24 years we've been online. Take confidence in knowing you're dealing with a real trusted expert who delivers results, not empty promises.

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).