How do I complain about sextortion on Facebook?

What is sextortion?

Sextortion is a form of online blackmail where criminals threaten to distribute private sexual images or videos of a victim unless a ransom is paid. It often begins with criminals catfishing victims online by pretending to be someone they trust or are in a relationship with. Once they gain the victim’s trust, they convince them to share intimate photos, videos or information. They then threaten to share the sensitive material unless money or more images are provided. Sextortion commonly takes place on social media platforms like Facebook, where criminals can easily connect with potential victims.

How does sextortion happen on Facebook?

There are a few common tactics criminals use to carry out sextortion schemes on Facebook:

Catfishing – Criminals create fake profiles, often posing as attractive young women or men. They try to connect with the victim online and build trust through flirty or romantic conversations.

Direct messaging – Once a connection is made, the criminal will try to move the conversation to private messaging. This is where they often convince the victim to share intimate photos or videos of themselves.
Threats – After obtaining sensitive material, the criminals reveal their true intent. They threaten to send the explicit photos/videos to the victim’s friends and family or post them online publicly, unless the victim pays a ransom.
Fake accounts – Criminals often use multiple fake accounts to carry out sextortion. One accountgathersthe explicit material, while a different account makes the threats and ransom demands.

Facebook’s private messaging system enables criminals to conduct these sextortion schemes out of public view. They count on the victim’s embarrassment at the thought of the material being shared to extort money.

What should I do if I’m being sextorted on Facebook?

If you’re caught in a sextortion scam on Facebook, it’s understandable to feel violated, afraid and ashamed. But know that you’re far from alone – many predators take advantage of people’s vulnerabilities each day online. The most important thing is not to panic or act rashly. Consider taking these steps:

Stop all communication – Do not respond to any of the criminals’ messages. Block all accounts associated with them immediately.

Document everything – Take screenshots of all messages and threats. This evidence could help law enforcement identify and prosecute the criminals.
Report to Facebook – Use Facebook’s reporting tools to flag the fake accounts and inappropriate messages. Submit copies of the threatening messages and screenshots as part of your complaint.
Don’t pay – Paying any ransom will likely lead to additional demands for money, not the end of the threats.

Contact authorities – File a report about the crime with your local police and with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.
Seek help – Connect with supportive friends and family. Consider speaking with a counselor who can help you process feelings of stress and trauma.

The most important thing is to cut off contact with the criminals immediately. Their threats are intended to manipulate you – paying them or complying with demands will only make the situation worse in the long run.

How can I report sextortion on Facebook?

To report sextortion or other abusive behavior on Facebook, take the following steps:

Go to the offending profile or content.
Click the three dots in the upper right corner.

Select “Give Feedback or Report This Profile”.
Choose “Report Profile” or “Report Post”.
Select the option “Nudity or Sexual Activity”.

Choose the subsection “Extortion”.
Explain how the account or content is violating Facebook’s rules against extortion.
Include any relevant screenshots, links or message IDs.

Click “Submit Report”.

You can also report concerning messages directly from your inbox:

Open the message thread.

Click the three dots at the top.
Select “Report…”.
Follow steps 5-9 above to complete your report.

Reporting sextortion attempts is the only way Facebook can fully investigate the accounts and content involved. They rely on user reports to identify and remove harmful activity like this from the platform.

What evidence should I include when reporting sextortion?

Strong evidence is crucial when reporting sextortion or blackmail on Facebook. Here are important items to include:

Screenshots – Capture images of any threatening messages, especially ransom demands. Also screenshot profile photos or fake names used by the criminals.

Message IDs – Each message on Facebook has an unique ID number. Jot these down to precisely identify abusive content.
Profile URLs – Copy the links to all profiles engaged in the sextortion scheme – both those making threats and collecting materials.
Dates/times – Note timestamps that show when the offending behavior occurred.

Patterns – If you noticed the criminals following a specific process, describe their tactics.

A detailed summary explaining how the sextortion unfolded from beginning to end is also very helpful for Facebook investigators.

The stronger your evidence, the easier it is for Facebook to confirm your report and take swift action. Weak or incomplete reporting can unfortunately lead to delays or inaction, allowing further harm. Capture everything you can to build an ironclad case.

What details should I avoid sharing when reporting sextortion?

When submitting your complaint about sextortion on Facebook, there are some sensitive details best left out:

Explicit images/videos – Do not forward any intimate material the criminals collected. Simply state it exists.
Passwords – Never share your login credentials, even with Facebook support.

Financial information – Don’t include any bank account details, credit card numbers, etc.
Addresses – Avoid listing your home address or phone number.
Vulnerabilities – You don’t need to explain how the criminals tricked or coerced you.

The key is to include evidence directly relevant to the offending accounts and actions – not personal information that could be mishandled or lead to further security risks. Facebook does not need access to intimate images or videos to take action against sextortion.

Only share information strictly needed for their investigation. Protect yourself by keeping personal and sensitive details private while reporting.

What should I do if Facebook doesn’t quickly remove sextortion content?

If Facebook does not promptly respond to your complaint and remove sextorting accounts or content, consider taking these additional steps:

Follow up and re-submit your report. Sometimes things get missed.
Clearly state in your report that the issue is urgent and causing ongoing harm.
Report individual pieces of content (posts, images, etc.) that violate policies.

Contact a Facebook content moderator directly if possible.
Document everything in case you need to demonstrate Facebook did not take appropriate action.
Consult legal counsel about potential negligence if Facebook enables further victimization.

File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
Contact your state or federal legislators to report Facebook’s inaction.

Applying additional pressure can prompt Facebook to prioritize investigating and removing malicious sextortion content faster. Their delays may be due to overwhelmed content moderators – but that does not excuse extending victimization.

Can I sue Facebook for not stopping sextortion?

Under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, Facebook and other online platforms are generally not liable for harmful content posted by third-party users. However, there are some circumstances where you may be able to take legal action if Facebook fails to promptly respond to sextortion reports:

If Facebook knew about illegal sextortion content but refused to remove it in a timely manner, they may be considered negligent.
Sharing intimate images without consent may qualify as copyright infringement. Facebook could face fines for not responding to DMCA takedown notices.

If Facebook was profiting directly from sextortion content, like running ads on it, that could invalidate their Section 230 immunity.
Facebook could face liability for actively facilitating criminal conduct, rather than merely acting as a passive host.

You would need to consult an attorney experienced with social media law to determine if you have grounds for a case. While suing Facebook is rare, it may be an option if their inaction led to significant harm and damages.

How can I help prevent sextortion scams on Facebook?

Here are some tips to help avoid becoming victim to a sextortion scam on Facebook:

Be very cautious when accepting friend requests or communicating with people you don’t know well.
Never send compromising photos or videos to strangers who have not earned your trust.

Look for signs of fake accounts, like limited posting history, odd names, or few mutual friends.
Block and report suspicious accounts or messages immediately – don’t wait.
Set your privacy settings to limit who can see personal info and posts.

Avoid sharing details online that could enable blackmail like names of friends and family.
Turn on login approvals requiring two-factor authentication.

Stay alert to warning signs of phishing attempts, romance scams, or anyone pressuring you to share sensitive media. And talk to your kids about safely using social media and the risky threat of sextortion.

What legal action can I take if I’m being sextorted?

If you are being victimized by sextortion, consider pursuing the following legal actions:

File a report with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.
Contact police to file a criminal complaint for stalking, extortion, or threats.

Speak with an attorney about your options for pursuing a civil lawsuit against perpetrators.
Obtaining a court order could compel social media platforms to provide identifying account information.
Consult a personal injury attorney if the crime resulted in significant harm or damages.

A lawyer can also advise if you have grounds to sue social media platforms for negligence.
Your attorney may be able to compel sites like Facebook to preserve relevant data and records.

While sextortion tactics are deliberately coercive, victims should not feel powerless. Reporting these crimes to law enforcement and seeking legal counsel can help interrupt the abuse, identify perpetrators, and potentially bring civil or criminal charges against them. Don’t let fear or shame prevent you from seeking justice.

What should I do if a minor is being sextorted?

Discovering a child is caught in a sexually exploitative sextortion scam warrants an immediate, sensitive response:

Make sure the child’s safety and well-being is the top priority.
Avoid blaming or shaming them for the situation.

Have an open talk about internet safety and their online activities.
Inform relevant therapists, counselors or social workers if appropriate.
Contact the police and child welfare services to report the sexual exploitation.

Work cooperatively with law enforcement in any investigation.
Get legal advice about possibly suing negligent online platforms.
Seek therapy to help the child process trauma related to the crime.

Parents discovering evidence of sextortion should not try confronting suspects or seeking revenge. Your focus should be 100% on getting professional help to interrupt the abuse, protect the child, and bring legal action against the predators if possible.

Conclusion

Sextortion is a serious and growing threat online, especially for younger social media users. If you become victim to an extortion attempt on Facebook, stay calm and avoid panicking. Document the evidence thoroughly, cease all communication with criminals, and promptly report them using Facebook’s tools. Consider notifying authorities if you have been coerced into providing explicit media. Do not cave to demands for ransom payments, which will likely escalate. Use all legal means possible to put an end to the sextortion scheme, bring criminal charges, or file a lawsuit if Facebook’s negligence contributed to harm suffered. With compassion and persistence, sextortion victims can take back control and see justice done.