AI Sextortion Scams Are Surging—Here’s What You Need to Know
If you’ve received a disturbing text claiming that someone has explicit content of you and is threatening to share it, you’re not alone.
A new wave of AI-driven sextortion scams has exploded recently—our internal scanner detected a staggering 5,000% week-over-week increase, with Lexington, KY, and Louisville, KY, seeing the highest activity.
The first signs of this scam appeared on March 18, 2025, at noon, and it’s spreading fast.
These scams rely on fear and manipulation, using AI-generated images, deepfake technology, and stolen personal data to make their threats seem more convincing. But here’s the truth: in most cases, these scammers don’t actually have any compromising content.
They’re casting a wide net, hoping someone takes the bait.
A Real-Life Case from Reddit
A recent post on r/Sextortion details one user’s encounter with a scammer who claimed to have explicit material and demanded money. Instead of panicking, they blocked the scammer, documented everything, and reported the messages to authorities. They also informed their family, cutting off the scammer’s leverage. This is exactly how you should handle these scams—don’t engage, don’t pay, and don’t believe the threats.
Read the full Reddit post here.
What to Do If You Get a Sextortion Scam Message
- Don’t respond. Block the sender immediately.
- Take screenshots and save evidence. You may need this if you report the scam.
- Report the scam:
- To the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): www.ic3.gov
- To the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) if minors are involved.
- Tell someone you trust. Scammers rely on shame to keep victims silent—by telling a friend or family member, you take away their power.
- Remove your personal info from data broker sites. Scammers often buy personal details from these sources.
- Strengthen your online privacy:
- Make your social media accounts private.
- Remove old photos and personal details from public platforms.
- Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication.
The Bottom Line
These scams are terrifying, but they only work if you believe them. Most of the time, scammers have nothing but your name and maybe an old password from a past data breach. Don’t panic, don’t pay, and report them.
If you’ve received one of these messages, drop a comment below—raising awareness is the best way to fight back.
