Getting a message that threatens to share intimate photos is terrifying. Your heart races, your stomach twists, and all you can think is, how did this happen and what do I do now? A close friend of mine went through this just last week. She trusted someone online, and suddenly she was facing demands and threats.
She managed to get through it by keeping calm, saving every piece of evidence, and letting people who actually know how to handle these situations take over. There’s a lot more to it than just “don’t respond” – sometimes knowing how to stall, protect yourself, and buy time is what keeps you safe.
I want to share the steps she used, like I’d explain them to a mate over coffee – practical, clear, and without the panic.
Check What They Actually Have
First thing to check is whether they actually have real material or if they are bluffing. These days people make convincing fake images and deepfakes, so don’t assume every threat is real. Try to figure out how they got in. Was it an old password leak, a dodgy link, or someone you matched with on an app? Pinning down the entry helps later.
Keep Them Talking, Safely
When dealing with Blackmail with Nudes, instead of cutting off contact right away, it can make sense to deliberately slow things down. The goal is to keep the conversation alive just enough so a professional investigator has time to preserve evidence and trace them. You must be careful and never give them anything new. No more photos, no location, no bank details. When you stall, keep the answers short and noncommittal. Use believable, common excuses that buy time without revealing new info. Say things like:
- I don’t have the money right now, can I pay on Monday when I get paid
- My bank froze my account, waiting for them to unlock it
- I’m waiting for a transfer to hit, should be soon
- I’m sorting this out with my family, give me a couple of days
- I need proof that you actually have anything before we talk money
Those lines are simple and natural. If you want to practice them, notice the bolded phrases. They are good to memorize and reuse in stressful situations.
Save Everything and Call for Help
While you stall, do these things. Save everything. Take screenshots of messages, user profiles, timestamps, links, and any files they sent. Back them up to a hidden folder or cloud account that the scammer does not know about. Do not click unfamiliar links they send. Do not accept new calls or video sessions unless a professional tells you to. Keep a log of every contact and time. That log is gold for investigators.
Contact the police and a digital investigator or a cyber help line as soon as you can. Tell them you are keeping the scammer engaged but not giving anything new, and hand over the saved evidence. Professionals can use the ongoing messages to track accounts, IPs, timestamps, and payment trails. If you can, get legal advice. In many places sharing private images without consent is a crime and your evidence can lead to charges.
Don’t pay. Paying usually only makes them ask for more. If you must stall, use those delay lines, but do not transfer money. Instead use the time to get help and get records in order.
Protect Your Accounts and Yourself
Protect your accounts right away. Change passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and lock down privacy settings. Tell close friends or family you trust so they do not unknowingly forward anything. If you feel stuck emotionally, talk to someone or a counselor. Shame and panic are normal, but they fade, and talking helps.
If kids are involved, act fast. Parents should keep calm, save the evidence, and reach out to school or law enforcement and to platforms where the images appear. Many big sites have removal tools for underage content and they can be prompted to act quickly.
Key Takeaways
To sum up, this is the short playbook. Keep the scammer talking just enough using simple delay lines, never give new material, save everything, and bring in police or cyber pros. You will get through this and you will learn how to protect yourself next time.
