Medium riskEmail

Sextortion Email Scam

This scam emails a threatening claim that the sender has recorded you through your webcam or has compromising material, and demands payment in cryptocurrency to stay silent, even though they almost always have nothing.

Quick verdict

Risk level
Medium risk
Scam type
Blackmail / extortion email
Main red flag
An email threatening to release a 'recording' unless you pay, often quoting an old password.
What to do first
Do not pay or reply. These threats are almost always empty. Change any password the email quotes.

How this scam works

This scam emails a threatening claim that the sender has recorded you through your webcam or has compromising material, and demands payment in cryptocurrency to stay silent, even though they almost always have nothing.

Email scams, or phishing, remain one of the most common ways criminals steal logins, payment details, and money. A convincing message imitates a brand or contact and steers you toward a fake login page, a malicious attachment, or a fraudulent payment.

In short, the giveaway is usually simple: An email threatening to release a 'recording' unless you pay, often quoting an old password. Do not pay or reply. These threats are almost always empty. Change any password the email quotes.

Scammers rotate tactics constantly, the same operation may also run the Sextortion Catfish Scam and the Inheritance Scam. See the full Email Scams guides hub, or test a suspicious message with the scam checker.

How to spot this scam

  • A threat to release a private 'recording' unless you pay
  • A demand for payment in cryptocurrency or gift cards
  • An old password shown to make the threat feel real
  • A short deadline meant to panic you
  • No actual proof, just claims and pressure

What the message looks like

Example pattern, not a real report
Example pattern: 'I placed malware on your device and recorded you. I also have your password: ******. Send $1,400 in Bitcoin within 48 hours or I send the video to your contacts.'

This is a fictional, anonymised example used to illustrate the pattern. It is not a verified real message, and any names are used only to show how the scam typically reads.

What gives it away: An email threatening to release a 'recording' unless you pay, often quoting an old password.

The scale of it

Most reported
phishing was the most common type of cybercrime complaint reported to the FBI in 2023
Source: FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
$12.5B
total reported internet-crime losses in the US in 2023
Source: FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center

How to protect yourself

  • Do not pay; the sender almost certainly has no such material
  • Change any password the email quotes, and anywhere you reused it
  • Turn on two-factor authentication on important accounts
  • Report the email as phishing and delete it

Already responded? Do this now

  • If you paid, contact your bank or crypto platform, though crypto is hard to recover
  • Keep a copy of the email in case you report it to authorities
  • Run a security scan if you are worried about malware
  • Do not respond to any follow-up demands

Mistakes to avoid

  • Do not pay the ransom
  • Do not reply or try to negotiate
  • Do not panic over an old password that came from a data breach

Related scams to know

High risk Social Media

Sextortion Catfish Scam

In this scam, an attractive stranger befriends you on social media, moves to private chat, encourages intimate images or video, then threatens to send them to your contacts unless you pay.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Medium risk Email

Inheritance Scam

This scam emails you out of the blue claiming you are the beneficiary of a large inheritance or unclaimed estate, often from a distant relative or stranger, then asks for fees, bank details, or documents to 'release' the money that never exists.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
High risk Email

Fake Tech Support Scam

This scam uses a pop-up, email, or phone call warning that your computer is infected or your account is compromised, urging you to call a number or allow remote access, after which the fake 'technician' charges fees, installs software, or takes your data.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team

Common questions

They knew my password. Does that mean they hacked me?
Usually not. These passwords typically come from old data breaches and are added to make the threat feel credible. Change the password wherever you still use it.
Could they really have a webcam video of me?
In the vast majority of these emails, there is no recording at all. They are mass-sent templates designed to frighten people into paying.
Should I reply to say I'm not falling for it?
No. Any reply confirms your address is active and may bring more emails. It is safer to report and delete it.
What if I already paid?
Paying rarely stops the demands. Stop further payments, keep the evidence, and report it to your local authorities and to your bank or crypto platform.

Last reviewed June 2026 · Written & reviewed by the

Disclaimer: This page provides educational information only to help you recognise common scam patterns. It is not legal, financial, cybersecurity, or law enforcement advice, and it does not confirm whether any specific message, company, or person is genuine or fraudulent. When in doubt, contact the official organisation directly and report concerns to your local authorities.