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Online Safety · URGENCY: IMMEDIATE

Sextortion or Online Blackmail — What to Do

Short answer

Do not pay and do not panic — you are not to blame. Stop replying but keep all evidence, make your accounts private, and report immediately on cybercrime.gov.in (women- and child-related cases can be reported anonymously). If any money was paid, call 1930. If the person targeted is under 18, treat it as a child-protection emergency and report at once.

Written & reviewed by Rupesh Mittal, Cyber Lawyer & Criminal Advocate · Last reviewed 30 August 2026

Sextortion — being threatened with the release of private or intimate images/video unless you pay or comply — is a crime, and the victim is never at fault. Paying rarely stops it and usually invites more demands. This guide covers the safest immediate steps: preserve evidence, cut off leverage, report, and get support.

What to do now

  1. Do not pay and do not send anything more — paying tends to escalate the demands.
  2. Stop engaging, but do NOT delete the chats, profiles or transaction details — you need them as evidence.
  3. Report on cybercrime.gov.in right away (anonymous option for women/child cases); call 1930 if you already paid.

What to do, in order

  1. 01

    Don’t pay, don’t negotiate

    Payment signals you can be squeezed further; demands usually continue. Cutting off the money is part of ending it.

  2. 02

    Preserve the evidence

    Screenshot the threats, the profile/URL, phone numbers, UPI IDs or account numbers and any payment references. Keep everything — do not delete the conversation.

  3. 03

    Remove their leverage

    Stop replying, block the account, and set your social profiles to private. Limit who can see your friends/followers and contact details.

  4. 04

    Report to the police / NCRP

    File on cybercrime.gov.in — use the anonymous “Report Women/Child Related Crime” flow if you prefer. If you paid, also call 1930 to try to freeze the funds.

    National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal
  5. 05

    Get support

    Tell someone you trust and reach a helpline (below). You do not have to handle this alone, and counselling support is available.

Helplines and support

  • cybercrime.gov.in — report the offence (anonymous option for women/child)
  • 1930 — cyber financial-fraud helpline, if you have paid any money
  • 1098 — Childline, if the person targeted is under 18
  • 181 — Women Helpline
  • 112 — police emergency, if you feel unsafe

Documents to keep available

  • Screenshots of the threats and the full conversation
  • The suspect’s profile link, username, phone number and any UPI ID / account number
  • Payment references / transaction IDs, if you paid
  • Your own account details for the platform where you were contacted

Requirements may vary by case and authority.

What not to do

  • Do not pay, and do not send further images or information.
  • Do not delete the chat, block-and-erase, or wipe evidence before reporting.
  • Do not confront or threaten the offender yourself.
  • Never forward or store intimate images of a minor — report them instead.

Frequently asked questions

They are threatening to send my video to my contacts — should I pay to stop it?

No. Paying rarely stops the threats and usually leads to more demands. Preserve the evidence, stop engaging, make your accounts private, and report on cybercrime.gov.in immediately.

Can I report anonymously?

Yes — cybercrime.gov.in offers an anonymous reporting option for women- and child-related cyber crimes. You can also file a tracked complaint if you want status updates.

Can the images be taken down?

Report the content to the platform for removal and to cybercrime.gov.in. For a minor, treat it as a child-protection emergency and report at once via Childline 1098.

Official resources

National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal

When professional assistance may be appropriate

Where an issue significantly affects your legal position, banking access, livelihood or business, or involves a notice, investigation or multiple jurisdictions, consider advice from an appropriate qualified professional.

Relevant professional types: Cyber crime lawyer · Criminal lawyer

Need help with this issue?

Sources: National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in) · I4C / MHA cyber-safety guidance

Last reviewed: 30 August 2026. This independent guide is general information, not legal advice, and does not control official investigations or processes.