Why Sextortionists Use CashApp (and How to Stay Protected)

Infopackets Reader Sam G. writes:

" Dear Dennis,

I came across your website and read two of your most recent articles: Spanish Sexting Scam Turns into WhatsApp Blackmail and Sextorted on ThaiFriendly? Read This Before You Pay - thanks - these articles were very insightful.

Now for my issue. I'm embarrassed to admit this, but until last week I had never even heard of 'sextortion.' I thought I was just chatting with someone new online - it started harmlessly enough. We flirted a little, exchanged some pictures, and then she casually asked me to send some money her way to help pay for her brother's birthday present (even though we just met a few days prior) - I politely declined and that's when the threats started.

She had screenshots, links to my Instagram, and even named people I knew. She demanded I send money through CashApp, claiming it was the 'fastest and safest' way to settle things. I panicked and sent $150, hoping that would be the end of it.

It wasn't. A few hours later, she messaged me again saying the payment didn't go through. Then she gave me a different $Cashtag and demanded I send another $200. I didn't know what to do, so I paid again. After that, another person claiming to be her 'boss' messaged me asking for more. It's like I opened some kind of doorway to sextortion hell and now I can't shut it.

I tried contacting CashApp support, but they basically told me there's nothing they can do. I couldn't believe it - how can a company allow this kind of thing to happen? Isn't there protections for this type of thing?

I'm terrified this isn't going to stop. More importantly I don't want to get exposed. What do I do now? I need your help! "

Related:

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

My response:

Thanks for your message.

Sextortion scams have exploded in recent years, with thousands of victims targeted every day. One of the first questions I ask when someone contacts me for help is, "How did you send the money?" More often than not, the answer is CashApp.

In this article, I'll break down exactly why sextortion scammers rely so heavily on CashApp, how the payment process is weaponized against victims, and what you can do to protect yourself before and after money has been sent. I'll also provide information on my services and how I can help you, for anyone reading this that might be going through a similar issue.

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.

In this guide, I'll dive deep to explain the following:

• What is CashApp and Why Do Sextortion Scammers Love It?
• CashApp's Pandemic Boom - and Why it Matters to Scammers
• How Sextortion Scammers Use CashApp Against You
• CashApp Makes it Easy to Exploit Victims
• Tactics Scammers Use to Push You Toward CashApp
• The Psychology Behind Why Victims Use CashApp
• What Happens After You Pay on CashApp?
   
• Victim Testimonials and Scammer Scripts: How It Unfolds in Real Time
• The Cousin Trick
• Common Phrases Used by Scammers
• Can You Get a Refund From CashApp?
• Sextortion Prevention Checklist
• How to Protect Yourself From Sextortion Scams Using CashApp
   
• What Not to Do If You're Being Sextorted (Avoid These Critical Mistakes)
• Why Hiring Me is Better Than Going it Alone
• Get 1-on-1 Personal Guidance by Phone and Email
• Customized Action Plans Tailored to Your Case
• Help with Damage Control if Photos or Videos Were Sent
• Supplemental Pre-Recorded calls and Quick Start Guide
• Final Thoughts

What is CashApp and Why Do Sextortion Scammers Love It?

CashApp is a mobile payment platform that allows users to send and receive money instantly using only a phone number, email, or $Cashtag. It's incredibly easy to use, requires minimal verification, and doesn't offer any meaningful buyer protection. In short, it's perfect for scammers.

CashApp's Pandemic Boom - and Why It Matters to Scammers

During the COVID-19 pandemic, CashApp exploded in popularity. In 2020, CashApp app had around 36 million users. That number jumped to 44 million by 2021, and hit 51 million in 2022. Meanwhile, their revenue more than doubled - going from $5.9 billion in 2020 to over $12.3 billion in 2021. (Source: businessofapps.com)

Why the sudden growth?

The pandemic pushed millions of people to adopt digital payments. CashApp was easy to use, didn't require a bank visit, and offered instant peer-to-peer transfers. You could send rent, tip your barber, or buy Bitcoin in seconds. Combine that with stimulus checks and economic panic, and you had the perfect storm: fast cash, minimal oversight, and millions of new users - many of them unfamiliar with financial fraud.

To scammers, this was a goldmine.

They didn't need to convince victims to install anything new. People already had CashApp installed, were used to sending money with no questions asked, and didn't know how to get it back when things went wrong. Sextortion scammers were more than happy to exploit that.

For sextortion scammers, CashApp checks every box:

• It's fast
   
• It's anonymous (or can be made to appear that way)
   
• It's final
   
• And victims are familiar with it, so there's little resistance

How Sextortion Scammers Use CashApp Against You

Once a scammer convinces a victim to send explicit material, the blackmail phase begins. The scammer will send screenshots, social media links, or lists of contacts, threatening to expose the victim unless they pay a ransom. That ransom? Often $100 to $300, and the preferred method is CashApp.

The scammer might say:

• "Send $150 to this $Cashtag within 10 minutes or I send the pictures to your boss."
   
• "I need $300 to delete the video and not tell your wife."

This plays on panic, fear, and the hope that a one-time payment will make it go away.

But here's the truth: Once you pay, sextortion scammers will never stop asking for more. That's how this scam goes 100% of the time. In fact, more often than not, the amount they demand next is substantially higher than what you paid before.

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.

CashApp Makes It Easy to Exploit Victims

Here are the main reasons sextortionists use CashApp:

1. No Buyer Protection: Unlike PayPal, there is no dispute or chargeback mechanism. Once you send the money, it's gone.
    
2. Minimal Verification: Scammers can set up accounts using burner phones and fake names.
    
3. Instant Payout: As soon as you send the payment, they can move it to another account or cash it out.
    
4. Untraceable Transfers: Even law enforcement has a hard time tracking it unless the scammer made a mistake.
    
5. It Feels Familiar: Most people have heard of CashApp or used it casually, so they don't question it when under pressure.

Tactics Scammers Use to Push You Toward CashApp

Victims often report eerily similar phrasing:

• "CashApp is the fastest way."
   
• "My PayPal isn't working."
   
• "I don't trust other apps."
   
• "Use Friends and Family so there's no delay."

These are rehearsed lines designed to steer you into a corner where you act before thinking.

The Psychology Behind Why Victims Use CashApp

When someone is hit with a sextortion threat, they're not thinking clearly - and that's exactly what the scammer is counting on. Panic is the scammer's greatest weapon. Victims are hit with a wave of fear, embarrassment, and urgency. Their thoughts spiral: What if my parents / girlfriend / wife sees this? What if I lose my job? What if it's already too late? In that moment, they'll do almost anything to make the problem disappear - fast.

This is where CashApp becomes the perfect trap.

Scammers don't need to convince the victim to sign up for anything new. Most already have CashApp on their phones. It's easy. It's instant. It feels familiar. And in a high-stress situation, those qualities make it incredibly dangerous. A victim might be thinking, "If I just send the money, maybe they'll leave me alone." That emotional logic, fueled by panic, overrides all common sense.

What victims don't realize is that their intent - to make it stop - directly feeds the scammer's strategy. The scammer is deliberately provoking panic to create speed. The goal is to get the victim to pay before they have time to think, talk to anyone, or look up whether it's a scam.

CashApp's frictionless design - meant to be a selling point - actually works against the user in these moments. There's no review screen, no buyer protection prompt, no chance to pause. Just a username, a dollar amount, and a big green button that says "Pay."

By the time the victim realizes what's happening, it's already too late.

Need help getting scammers off your back? Don't let panic drive your decisions. Contact me now for expert advice before things spiral out of control.

What Happens After You Pay on CashApp?

The scam doesn't end. Instead, quite often sextortion scammers will:

• claim the payment failed and demand more, or
   
• say they need additional money to continue deleting more files, or
   
• another scammer might contact you pretending to be "the boss," asking for more money.

Many victims end up paying multiple times before they realize it won't stop. CashApp's speed and lack of recourse make it ideal for this cycle of exploitation.

Don't want this to happen to you? Need help now? I've been helping victims of sextortion since 2019 and have worked on over 1,000+ cases. I specialize in this exact type of scam and know every tactic scammers use. With the right strategy, I can help you shut them down and dramatically reduce - or even eliminate - your risk of exposure. I have multiple contingencies in place and will share with you strategies I've developed over the years when working closely with victims. Contact me now and let's discuss your case. There is no obligation and I'm more than happy to answer your questions. Rest assured: we've been online since 2001, hold an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, and have never received a single complaint. Our reputation is rock-solid.

Victim Testimonials and Scammer Scripts: How It Unfolds in Real Time

To understand just how fast sextortion escalates - especially when CashApp is involved - it helps to look at real examples. Below is an anonymized victim case I've personally worked on. The story is slight different than the original, but the pattern is the same: rapid emotional manipulation, panic, and instant payments through CashApp.

The 'Cousin' Trick

"Dylan," a married father of two, sent $100 through CashApp after being threatened with exposure. The scammer said it would be a one-time payment to "make everything disappear."

But it didn't end there.

Two hours later, a new number texted him on WhatsApp, claiming to be the scammer's cousin. The cousin said he now had the files, and unless Dylan paid another $250, the video would be sent to his church community page. The cousin also asked Dylan to pay using a different $Cashtag, claiming the original account was "locked."

This technique - bringing in a second scammer pretending to be someone else - is common. It creates the illusion of a criminal network and pushes the victim further into compliance.

Common Phrases Used by Scammers

Here are some real lines taken directly from cases I've handled:

• "I already downloaded everything - deleting won't help you."
   
• "I know where you work. Think I'm bluffing?"
   
• "I'll give you one chance to fix this. Pay $150 or I ruin your life."
   
• "CashApp only. It's the fastest and safest for both of us."

Scammers are rehearsed, manipulative, and laser-focused on making you panic. Once you understand their script, you can stop playing along.

Can You Get a Refund From CashApp?

In almost every case, the answer is no. Similar to most banks, CashApp payments are final. While you can try to contact CashApp support, the platform itself makes no guarantees, and in sextortion cases, the money is often gone within minutes.

Sextortion Prevention Checklist

1. Set All Social Media Accounts to Private

Sextortion scammers often mine Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn for your name, employer, and contact list. If your profile is public, you're making their job easier.

• Make your social media profiles private. This will help to limit the sextortion scammer from posting on your page - but be careful, because quite often sextortion scammers will also infiltrate your friends list.
  
  In other words, limiting your exposure may not be enough - which is why I offer a very extensive plan on how to fight sextortion with contingencies. Interested in learning more? Contact me here.
   
• Hide your friends / followers list if you haven't already. In most cases sextortion scammers will have already grabbed this information prior to making threats, as they use the friends list / followers as leverage against you.
   
• Limit who can message or tag you. This will is usually in your privacy settings on either Facebook or Instagram. Be careful here - if you are knee deep in a sextortion scam already and if the scammer's can't get a hold of you - they will likely escalate their threats by reaching out to people you know in order to prove a point. This happens quite a bit. In this case, you'll need some strategies on how to proceed. I can help - contact me here.

2. Don't Add Strangers on Facebook, Instagram, or WhatsApp

If someone attractive randomly messages you with "hey cutie" or "wrong number?" - it's likely bait. These are classic entry points into a sextortion scam or even a pig butchering scam. Related: FB Dating Turns to Crypto-Sextortion - Here's What to Do.

• Block suspicious contacts immediately. Most of the time sextortion scammers will double down on the efforts by having another fake account contact you, hoping you'll fall for the same scam twice over. Don't let your guard down!
   
• Avoid giving out your phone number online. Unfortunately for most people reading this, they have already given this information out. Once scammers have your phone number, they can do a reverse lookup and find out your first and last name, then will look you up on social media. Having your phone number also ensures they can message you directly through SMS text messaging if you block them on a messaging app or social media platform like Facebook or Instagram.
   
• Delete group invites or random numbers. Based on the feedback I've received from sextortion victims, many have told me they responded to an unknown text months after the original incident, only to find out that the scammers were still trying to blackmail them into paying more money. The best advice here is to NEVER respond to unknown texts now and in the future.

3. Know the Red Flags of a Sextortion Setup

Most scams follow a predictable script: you meet someone somewhere, they send flirty messages, then there is 'fun in the buff' escalation, usually video call (where you are secretly recorded engaged in an act), and then threats are made to expose you unless you pay up.

• Be skeptical of people who move fast into sexual talk. This is often a tell tale sign you're dealing with a scammer. Most real people - especially women talking to men - don't rush into the fun stuff straight away.
   
• Never show your face during a video exchange with a stranger. If your face is visible, scammers can easily prove it's you - making their threats far more damaging and believable.
   
• If they pressure you for photos or video, end the conversation. Anyone rushing you into sharing explicit content is likely setting you up - cutting off contact immediately can stop a scam before it starts.

4. Use a Burner Phone or Second Account for Online Dating

If you use apps like Tinder, Bumble, or adult chat groups, consider using a second number via Google Voice or a cheap prepaid SIM.

• Don't link your real social accounts to your dating profile. Sextortion scammers will look you up and use your contacts against you as leverage once they have your nudes.
   
• Don't use your real name unless you're confident. This will help protect you especially if the scammers try to link your name to your real social media accounts.
   
• Subscribe to TextNow or Hush to get a secondary phone number. Don't use your cell number because it can be used to obtain your real name using a reverse lookup. One the scammers have this, they can do a lot of damage.

5. Educate Friends and Teens in Your Circle

Sextortion affects everyone - including teens and young adults. Share what you know. One informed conversation can prevent disaster.

• Talk to your kids about the risks.
   
• Send them resources (like this article).
   
• Make prevention part of your family's digital hygiene.

How to Protect Yourself From Sextortion Scams Using CashApp

Here's what to do if you're being threatened:

1. Do not send any more money. Paying once marks you as an easy target.
    
2. Do not delete your social media accounts. This can make things worse (see my other articles).
    
3. Document everything: Save chats, payment records, screenshots, and contact info.
    
4. Lock down your social media accounts: Set profiles to private, hide your friend list, and remove identifying info.
    
5. Stop engaging with the scammer, but only after you have a plan. Sometimes ghosting them too early can trigger exposure.
    
6. Contact a professional (like me) who knows this scam inside and out. I can tell you what to expect, what to say (or not say), and how to avoid being exposed.

What Not to Do If You're Being Sextorted (Avoid These Critical Mistakes)

When you're in the middle of a sextortion crisis, it's easy to act impulsively - and that's exactly what scammers count on. Over the years, I've worked with thousands of victims who made the same well-intentioned mistakes that ended up making their situation worse.

Here are the most common pitfalls - and why you should avoid them at all costs.

Side note: for an in-depth overview of strategies that work (and what can backfire), see my full article on Sextortion - What to Do (and What Not to Do). You may also be interested in downloading my 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. You'll receive the free reports when you contact me using my contact form. Once I receive your submission, I can call and answer any questions you might have - with zero obligation. I'm happy to help.

1. Sending Repeated Payments

The most damaging mistake is also the most common. Many victims assume that sending money once will make the problem disappear - but when the scammer comes back again, they panic and pay again. Then again.

Every payment confirms you're afraid, compliant, and still reachable.

If you've paid once, do not pay again. You've already shown them you're a target. Paying more won't erase the leverage - it reinforces it.

2. Deleting All Your Social Accounts in Panic

This might seem smart on the surface - if they can't find you, they can't hurt you, right?

Wrong.

Deleting your accounts:

• Can trigger the scammer into immediate exposure out of spite
   
• Removes your ability to monitor what's being said or sent
   
• Makes it look like you're panicking - which gives them more power

Instead of deleting your accounts, lock everything down. Set profiles to private, strip out public info, and keep your accounts active so you can respond strategically if needed. I've developed a far better way to navigate this - with built-in contingencies, critical insights on worst-case scenarios, and proven strategies to help prevent exposure. What scammers say and what they actually do are often two very different things - they're crafty, and most victims never see it coming. But once you understand their tricks and traps like I do, you can beat them at their own game. Contact me here to find out how.

3. Confronting the Scammer Emotionally

You might be tempted to lash out: "How could you do this?", "I have a family,", or "Please, I'm begging you."

But, the sextortion scammers don't care.

In fact, the more emotional you become, the more they see that their plan is working. Anger and pleading don't persuade them - they encourage them. They want you unstable, because unstable people are more likely to send money fast.

The best response? None when it comes to an emotional response - or better yet, one that is a carefully calculated message that buys you time (which I help clients craft all the time). Need help crafting the perfect response? Contact me now and I'll help you take control before things spiral out of hand.

4. Confessing to Family or Friends Too Early Without a Plan

Telling someone close to you might feel like a relief - but if you do it too soon, or without context, you can turn fear into full-blown fallout.

I've had clients tell spouses, employers, or parents in a moment of panic - only to make the situation far, far worse. Once that door opens, you can't close it. And in many cases, nothing was ever actually sent out by the scammer. One such example is telling friends and family that your accounts got hacked - this does NOT work. The scammers fully anticipate you doing this, and they know ways around it that you won't see coming and that can be devastating.

Before you involve anyone else, make sure you understand the risk, have a plan in place with contingencies. Better yet, consider talking to someone who's seen this before (like me).

Here's the bottom line -

Every action you take in the heat of panic can either give the scammer more power - or take it away. Your goal is to slow down, think strategically, and avoid doing what the scammer hopes you'll do.

Not sure what your next move should be? Reach out to me now for a private consultation and get a clear, proven strategy before making a costly mistake.

Why Hiring Me is Better Than Going it Alone

If you've paid through CashApp, you're already vulnerable. The worst thing you can do now is start guessing.

Since 2019, I've handled over 1,000+ sextortion cases, including hundreds involving CashApp. I know what the scammers typically do next, what threats are real, and how to mitigate and prevent your exposure. In these situations, the right experience can mean the difference between a quiet resolution - and a personal crisis.

Here's a few reasons why you might consider hiring a professional like me:

Get 1-on-1 Personal Guidance by Phone and Email

During our initial meet-and-greet, you'll speak directly with me by phone. I'll listen to your exact situation, walk you through what to expect next, and give calm, expert advice tailored to your case. I offer 60 days of support by email and phone, because some sextortion scammers can hang around longer than expected - sometimes up to 60 days, based on previous cases I've worked on. No one else offers this level of sustained, personalized help - and my A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) reflects that.

Customized Action Plans Tailored to Your Case

Every sextortion case is different - which is why you'll get advice tailored specifically to your situation. I'll give you a step-by-step strategy based on what scammers usually do, how they make their threats, where their actual limits are, and - most importantly - how to stop your exposure before it starts. This plan is built from real-world intelligence I've gathered after working on over 1,000+ cases since 2019.

Let me be clear: what scammers say and what they do are often very different - and you won't see it coming. If you've never been through this before, you'll be shocked at how creative - and malicious - they can be. That's where my plan shines. I'll walk you through multiple worst-case scenarios based on the 1,000+ previous cases I've worked on, and show you exactly how to neutralize the threats. At the end of it all, I'll explain how to safely disengage - without ever paying the scammers another dime.

Help with Damage Control if Photos or Videos Were Sent

If you've already shared explicit content, I'll help you take smart, immediate steps to limit the fallout. That includes assessing what the scammer likely has, how they might use it, and what to do to prevent it from being shared with your contacts or posted online. I've helped hundreds of victims through this exact situation - and I'll help you too.

Supplemental Pre-Recorded calls and Quick Start Guide

Whether you need reassurance late at night by email, or a strategy phone call check-in the next morning, I'm here. I offer responsive, flexible support so you're never left guessing what to do next.

If you're not ready for a phone call, no problem - I've created pre-recorded call sessions where I answer the most common questions from real clients. You'll also receive my Quick Start Guide, which explains exactly what steps to take - and when - to stay one step ahead of the scammers. When you're ready, we can talk by phone and I'll answer your questions directly.

Final Thoughts

CashApp is a powerful tool in the hands of a sextortion scammer. It gives them speed, privacy, and permanence - and gives you nothing in return.

If you're being extorted and they're demanding CashApp, you're not alone. But you do need to act fast, and you need a plan.

Contact me today and I'll help you shut it down before it gets worse.

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).