PanicStation.org
UK USA
uk Sexual violence & highly sensitive situations sextortion message • blackmail explicit video claim • screenshot proof scam • threatened to share video • intimate image threat • fake explicit video • deepfake porn threat • someone says they have nudes • extortion demand money • explicit video of me • nude video threat • online sexual blackmail • instagram sextortion • snapchat sextortion • dating app blackmail • hacked webcam claim • porn site blackmail email • non-consensual intimate images • intimate image abuse threat • panic after sextortion • do not pay sextortion

What to do if…
you receive a message claiming there is an explicit video of you and you are sent a screenshot as “proof”

Short answer

Stop engaging with the sender and do not pay or comply. Don’t delete anything in panic—secure your accounts, then report it through the official UK routes and the platform where it happened.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t pay, send more images, or “negotiate” to get them to stop.
  • Don’t argue, insult, or try to “outsmart” them in chat (it often escalates demands).
  • Don’t click links, open files, scan QR codes, or install anything they send.
  • If you want your account removed, don’t delete it in panic—deactivate it rather than delete it.
  • Don’t post public explanations or screenshots with their username/number (it can spread your personal info and increase harassment).
  • Don’t assume the screenshot proves anything (screenshots can be faked, edited, or made from a lookalike/deepfake).

What to do now

  1. End contact immediately. Block the account/number on every platform they used. If they switch accounts, block those too.
  2. Stabilise your accounts (10-minute lockdown).
    • Change passwords for your email first, then any social accounts connected to it.
    • Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) for email and social accounts.
    • Check for unfamiliar devices/sessions and recovery email/phone changes; remove anything you don’t recognise.
  3. Keep a minimal record by not deleting what you already have.
    • Keep the message thread, the username/handle, and the screenshot they sent.
    • Note the date/time and the platform/app used.
    • You don’t need to gather lots of extra “evidence” before reporting—just don’t wipe it.
  4. If this came as a threatening email (especially with crypto demands): report it as suspicious email.
    • Forward the email to the UK suspicious email reporting service, then delete it (without clicking anything in it).
  5. Report it through UK channels (choose what fits).
    • If you’re under 18: report to CEOP Safety Centre.
    • If you’re 18+ (or unsure): use the UK police sextortion reporting guidance, and the Report Fraud (Action Fraud) service where appropriate for online blackmail/fraud.
    • If you feel in immediate danger or someone is trying to meet you in person: call 999.
  6. Report and limit spread on the platform where it happened.
    • Use in-app reporting for blackmail/sextortion and request account action/takedown if anything is posted.
    • Tighten privacy: set accounts to private, restrict DMs to contacts, review follower/friend lists, and remove unknown accounts.
  7. If you think an intimate image/video of you may be shared (18+): use a preventive tool.
    • Consider StopNCII.org (it can help participating platforms detect and block re-sharing of intimate images; it doesn’t cover the whole internet and generally won’t apply to end-to-end encrypted private messages).
  8. If you’re 18+ and want specialist help with threats or image-based abuse: contact the Revenge Porn Helpline for practical support and takedown guidance.
  9. Get support without having to “tell the whole story.”
    • Message one trusted person: “I’m being blackmailed online with a sexual threat. Can you stay with me while I secure accounts and report it?”

What can wait

  • Deciding whether it’s “real” or “fake” (your immediate steps are the same either way).
  • Writing a perfect report or gathering lots of extra evidence.
  • Confronting the person, “warning” them, or trying to track who they are.
  • Making big decisions like deleting all social media or changing your phone number (do later, if needed, after reporting and securing accounts).

Important reassurance

This is a common coercion tactic designed to trigger shame and panic so you comply quickly. Being targeted does not mean you did anything wrong, and support and reporting routes exist specifically for this.

Scope note

These are first steps to reduce harm, stop escalation, and buy time. If images are shared or the threats persist, you may want further specialist help for takedowns, safety planning, and ongoing support.

Important note

This is general information, not legal or clinical advice. If you are under 18, treat any sexual imagery involving you as a child-safety issue and use child-specific reporting/support routes. If you are in immediate danger, call 999.

Additional Resources
Support us