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Scam library · Kids & teens · Romance

Teen sextortion scam on Instagram, Snapchat and games

It often starts on Instagram, Snapchat or a gaming platform. A friendly, attractive 'teen' flirts, sends a photo, and pressures for one back. Minutes after a photo is shared, the tone flips: pay now, or it goes to your friends, family and school.

The FBI calls this financially motivated sextortion and says the typical targets are boys aged 14 to 17. The scammers are usually overseas criminal groups, not real teenagers.

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What the message looks like

Social media message · example, not real

From: Instagram, 'kayla.xo' (new account)

hey cutie, you're really cute 🥰 send me one?

Later: I have your pic and your followers list. Send $500 on Cash App in 30 min or I post it to everyone and tag your school.

This is a made-up example of a typical conversation. Real accounts used by scammers are often new or have few genuine followers.

How this scam works

The threats are fast and relentless, with countdowns and screenshots of the victim's follower list. Payment is demanded through gift cards, payment apps or crypto. Paying rarely ends it; it usually leads to more demands.

The FBI has linked these schemes to tragic outcomes, including suicides. The most important message for a teen is: you are not in trouble, you are the victim, and there's help that works.

NCMEC's free Take It Down service can help remove or stop the spread of explicit images of people under 18 on participating platforms.

Red flags

  • A new follower or match who's very flirty very fast.
  • Pressure to move to another app, like Snapchat or Telegram.
  • Requests for photos, especially after they send one first.
  • Immediate threats, countdowns and screenshots of your followers.
  • Demands for gift cards, payment apps or crypto.

How to tell it’s fake

  1. Real teens don't have screenshots of your follower list ready in a minute.
  2. Check the account: new, few posts, or photos that look like a model's.
  3. If it feels off, it is. Stop replying and tell an adult you trust.

What to do if you clicked, paid or shared info

Don’t panic, and don’t blame yourself. These scams are built by professionals. Act quickly, one step at a time.

If you clicked a link or called back

  • Stop responding and don't send more photos. Don't delete the account or messages yet: take screenshots of the profile, username and threats.

If you paid

  • Don't send any more money. Report payments to the app and report the crime to the FBI at tips.fbi.gov or 1-800-CALL-FBI.

If you shared personal info, a password or a code

  • Use NCMEC's Take It Down to help remove images of minors, report the account on the platform, and talk to a trusted adult or school counselor.

Where to report and get help (U.S.)

If a message seems legit and you’re still not sure, get a second opinion before you act. Reporting helps stop scammers, even if money can’t be recovered. If you are in danger, call 911.

  • Your bank or card issuer
    Call the number on the back of your card or on your statement, not one from the message. Ask them to stop or reverse the payment and to watch the account.
  • Federal Trade Commission (FTC) · ReportFraud.ftc.gov
    Report the scam and get a step-by-step recovery plan.
  • FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) · ic3.gov
    Report scams that happened online, especially if money was lost. Include phone numbers, websites and payment details.
  • AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline · aarp.org helpline
    Free, for anyone of any age: trained volunteers help you sort out next steps. 877-908-3360, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern.
  • IdentityTheft.gov · IdentityTheft.gov
    If you shared your Social Security number or someone opened accounts in your name.

How Gmork Scam Guard would warn you

Scam Guard runs in Chrome and Edge on a computer, so it sees Instagram, Discord and other social sites when they're open in the browser there, not phone apps. When a chat turns into pressure for photos or threats and payment demands, it explains what's happening and points to help. Families can set it up on a shared or kid's computer from our parents page.

Scam Guard can miss things, so the checks above still matter. See what it warns about and what it keeps private.

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Questions people ask

My teen sent a photo and is being threatened. What should we do first?
Stay calm and reassure them. Stop replying, don't pay, save evidence, then report to the FBI at tips.fbi.gov and use NCMEC's Take It Down.
Will paying make it stop?
Usually not. Paying tends to bring more demands. The FBI advises against paying.
Is my teen in legal trouble?
Victims are not in trouble. Law enforcement treats them as victims of a crime.

Sources

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