How do cybercriminals use Snapchat for blackmail, especially when targeting individuals looking for online relationships?

Cybercriminals leverage Snapchat's features, such as easy account creation, a relaxed environment, and emphasis on visual content, to set up appealing profiles and pose as someone seeking love [1, 2]. Once they engage a victim, they build trust to obtain sensitive information or compromising photos and videos. This content is then used to extort money or favors from the victim [2]. Snapchat's popularity for dating makes it an 'ideal hunting ground' for these criminals [1].

What are the immediate steps I should take if I find myself being blackmailed on Snapchat?

If you are being blackmailed on Snapchat, the first crucial step is to **remain calm** [3]. Do not comply with their demands, plead, or bargain, as their primary goal is manipulation and control [3]. Instead, it's advised to **stall for time** by promising payment on a specified later date [4]. Concurrently, **document all evidence** by noting the blackmailer's username, taking screenshots of all messages with their dates and times, and keeping track of any compromising content you may have sent [4, 5]. After securing this evidence, you should **report the incident directly on Snapchat** and then proceed to **block the blackmailer's account** [5].

What are the risks of paying a blackmailer or ignoring their threats on Snapchat?

Both paying and ignoring a blackmailer on Snapchat present significant risks. If you choose to ignore the threats, there is almost a **42 percent chance that the blackmailer will release the explicit content publicly** [6]. Conversely, if you comply and pay, this action only assures the blackmailer that they have a willing victim. This often leads to them demanding more, continuing the extortion, or even releasing the content despite receiving payment [7].

How can I proactively protect myself from romance scams and potential blackmail on Snapchat?

To proactively protect yourself from romance scams and potential blackmail on Snapchat, it is essential to be **highly vigilant** [8]. Only accept friend requests and messages from people you are familiar with; if a stranger adds you, conduct an **extensive background check** before engaging [9]. Be extremely **cautious about sharing any sensitive information** that could be used to exploit you [9]. When pursuing an online relationship, always **verify the person's identity** by asking for proof, checking other social media platforms, or, if feasible and safe, meeting in person [9]. Furthermore, be wary if the **relationship progresses unusually fast**, as this can be a red flag indicating malicious intent by blackmailers who seek quick engagements and exits [10].

Who should I contact for help and support if I've been blackmailed on Snapchat?

After reporting the incident on Snapchat, you should immediately **contact the proper authorities** [11]. This includes filing a report with your local police department's cybercrime unit and notifying the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), which is their dedicated portal for cybercrime [11, 12]. If you have already made a payment to the blackmailer, it is advisable to **contact your bank** to inquire about cancelling or reversing the transaction [12]. Additionally, it is highly recommended to reach out to a **cybersecurity expert** or organizations specializing in combating online exploitation, such as the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative, Without My Consent, or Thorn.org, to gain more support and help [8, 12].

How to Report Blackmail on Snapchat | A Comprehensive Guide

Is your online match/partner threatening you? Read this guide on how to report blackmail on Snapchat.

Heartbreak can happen in several ways, but only a few are more heartbreaking than realizing the love you had was a lie. Sadly, this scenario is common, especially online.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reports that romance scams have the second-highest losses on social media sites like Snapchat.

The platform has become a popular medium for dating due to its easy account creation process, relaxed environment, emphasis on visual content, and messaging privacy and anonymous user features. But these same benefits also make it an ideal hunting ground for cybercriminals. These people go to great lengths to extort their victims, including blackmailing.

Receiving threats instead of love letters is more heartbreaking than just getting rejected. But let’s set feelings aside for a while.

What should you do if your online match/partner is threatening you to send them money or access to private information? Here’s how to report blackmail on Snapchat.

Blackmail on Snapchat

Extortion of private persons is commonly referred to as blackmail. The perpetrator demands money or other favors from their victim by threatening to share compromising information, photos, or videos of them unless they meet the demands.

Their process is simple. They create a head-turner Snapchat profile, painting themselves as the adventurous, irresistible kind that no one can help but be interested in. Then, they impersonate someone looking for love.

Once someone takes the bait, they act interested and ask to exchange sensitive information, or compromising photos or videos. After they get hold of those, they begin their evil machinations, much to the surprise of their trusting victim.

Take, for example, the experience of Nathan McErlean, a postman from Magherafelt in County Londonderry.

McErlean recounts to BBC that during his holiday in Spain, a woman added her on Snapchat. He didn’t know her, but her score on the platform was high, unlike fake accounts.

They exchanged messages for two weeks, until late one night, the woman sent him intimate photos of herself.

"She wanted to see me, so I was just like: 'Fair enough, you showed me you—I'll do my other half of the dance.'," he states.

After sending his image, he received a reply with screenshots of all the pictures he sent and a list of his followers on another social media platform. The woman then threatened him to send her £3,000 if he didn't want her to ruin his life.

When scammers blackmail Snapchat users, they place them at a crossroads. But whichever path the victim takes, it’s a lose-lose situation.

If the victim ignores their blackmailer, Digital Forensics states that there’s almost a 42 percent chance that the latter will release the explicit content to the public.

However, if the victim pays, such action only assures the blackmailer that they have a willing payer. And who’s to say they’ll keep their word? They’re a criminal, after all. What’s stopping them from going all the way and sending their victim’s content over Snapchat and other social media? They’ll only demand more, squeezing them dry or, worse, driving them to suicide.

If you’ve received blackmail on Snapchat, don’t panic. Handle the situation with a clear mind.

“I’m Being Blackmailed on Snapchat. What Should I Do?”

There are practical ways to handle blackmail, but first, remain calm. Panic only gives a blackmailer more leverage. If you can't objectively assess a situation, you're prone to believing false or exaggerated narratives and making poor decisions.

After getting yourself together, here are the steps you can take:

Don’t Comply with Their Demands

If you give them an inch, they’ll take a mile. Say no, even if they keep on threatening you. Don’t even plead or bargain with them. Remember, their goal is to manipulate and control you. Negotiating will only make it easier for them to get into your head.

Stall for Time

Blocking might be tempting, but that’ll only trigger them to fulfill their threats. Pleading also emboldens them. So what should you do? Buy time. Say you’ll work on getting the money. Promise them you’ll pay on a certain date (state the latest).

Document All Evidence

As much as you’d like to erase your exchanges, you have to keep them for evidence. Note the blackmailer’s username. Take screenshots of all your Snapchat messages with their specific dates and times. Most importantly, keep track of the compromising content you’ve sent.

Evidence gives authorities and the platform something to work with. It builds and strengthens your case. Otherwise, if you simply report to them saying, “I’m being blackmailed on Snapchat,” they’re less likely to take action, let alone apprehend the perpetrator.

Report on Snapchat

Here’s how to report blackmail on Snapchat:

Open Chats and tap-hold the blackmailer’s username.
Tap Manage Friendship, then Report.
Follow the instructions and give all the relevant details.
After gathering all you need, block the blackmailer’s account.

If you want to report a specific message they’ve sent, you can follow these steps:

Open Chat.
Press and hold your finger on the message until a menu appears.
Select the Report option.
Provide a reason for the report.
Submit and wait for Snapchat’s safety team to review and advise.

You can also contact Snapchat support through the mobile application or on X (formerly Twitter).

Contact the Proper Authorities

Contact your local police department and file a report of the incident with their cybercrime unit. Also, notify the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Internet Crime Complaint Center, its dedicated portal for cybercrime.

You’re only one among thousands of victims. Reporting blackmail ensures your case is well-documented and allows law enforcement to cross-check similar incidents.

You might not know it, but you’re saving others from becoming victims.

If you’ve already paid the blackmailer, you should also contact your bank to see if they can help cancel or reverse your transaction.

Go to a Cybersecurity Expert

Cover all your bases and contact a cybersecurity expert. They can be an individual or a group working against online exploitation. The more help you can get, the better. You’re not alone in this. Others have had the same experience and want to hunt down blackmailers so they won’t be able to victimize more people.

Here are a few organizations that can help you out:

Cyber Civil Rights Initiative
Without My Consent
Thorn.org

Be ten steps ahead of those who blackmail Snapchat users.

How To Protect Yourself from Blackmail on Snapchat

You already know how to report blackmail on Snapchat. But how can you ensure you won’t fall for their schemes again?

Curtin University Professor of Internet Studies Tama Leaver states that avoiding social media isn’t the answer (2023). You don’t have to give up on using Snapchat. Instead, be more vigilant.

Only accept friend requests and messages from familiar people. If a stranger adds or sends you a message, do an extensive background check before engaging. You should also be careful with sharing information. Don’t hand out anything blackmailers can use to exploit you.

Avoid entering a relationship with just anyone you meet online. Ensure they are who they say they are. Ask a common friend to vouch for them, ask for proof of their claims, look them up on other platforms, or meet them in person.

If the relationship is moving too fast, that can be a sign of malicious intent. Blackmailers get in and out as fast as possible. They never linger long enough for you to catch them. Prepare to exit if you notice this sign.

***

Online dating on Snapchat has its benefits, but it’s not without risks. Be cautious and learn to protect yourself. If you ever find yourself in a threatening situation, keep calm and refer to this guide.

References:

Fletcher, Emma. 2023. “Social media: a golden goose for scammers.” Federal Trade Commission. https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/data-visualizations/data-spotlight/2023/10/social-media-golden-goose-scammers.

Cox, Auryn. 2023. “Sextortion on Snapchat is not the end of my world, says victim.” BBC. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-66736462.

Sobiecki, Viktor. 2025. “How To Stop a Blackmailer. Effective Strategies, Expert Tips.” Digital Forensics Corporation. https://www.digitalforensics.com/blog/online-blackmail/how-to-stop-a-blackmailer/.

Richards, Abby. 2023. “Snapchat sextortion victim speaks out as figures reveal complaints have tripled across Australia.” ABC News. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-10-22/snapchat-extortion-explicit-photo-victim-speaks-out/102932958.