Sextortion Statistics – Up to Date Facts and Insights on Sexual Blackmail

In this study we used 183,939 sextortion case filings with the IC3 (Internet Crime Complaint Center). Additionally, we included data of 6,341 survey respondents and case studies. Collectively, this is the largest dataset and study of sextortion currently available online.

Feel free to reach out to researchcenter@bedbible.com to gain access to the full dataset. Please be aware that all case studies have been anonymized. Please reference any use of the dataset, facts, or statistics from the study.

Key Facts

• Sextortion is so common that an estimated 120,000 Americans are victims of it each year (with $81 million in financial losses).
• 20,247 cases of sextortion are reported yearly (increases 35% each year).
• More than $13.8 million are blackmailed through sextortion (increases +41% each year).
• 65% threat the victim to post the contents of the explicit exchange online.
• 51% of perpetrators extort victims to get them to send more explicit content.
• 12% of sextortion victims are under 20 years old.
• 37% of victims that comply with the demands of sextortion said the threats stopped.
• 47% of sextortion victims got daily threats.

Total number of reported sextortion cases per year

Through the use of the US IC3 (Internet Crime Complaint Center) database of annual sextortion reportings we found that:

• More than 20,200 sextortion cases are reported annually.
• The number of sextortion cases reported each year has grown on average +35% each year (since 2000).
• The number of reported sextortion cases is expected to grow to 45,000 by 2030.

Total losses to sextortion each year

While sextortion scams typically involve the predator wanting more explicit images out of the victim, some cases involve financial losses.

The monetary loss for each reported case is also available in the IC3 database, making it so that we could calculate the reported losses to sextortion for each year since 2000.

• The total financial losses to sextortion was $13.8 million annually.
• The annual losses to sextortion have increased by +41% annually.
• The financial losses to sextortion is expected to almost triple to $30+ million by 2030.

Sextortion victims, by age

The current data online of what age groups are most often the victims of sextortions have unfortunately brought forth extremely biased numbers.

The dataset most often mentioned have been gathered as a volentary survey amongst a victim group from the Crimes Against Children Research Center (CCRC). In other words, it is no wonder, that the results from the survey of 1,631 respondents gathered in this manner shows that:

• 1 in 4 (25%) victims were 13 years old or younger when they were victims of sextortion.
• 2 in 3 (67%) victims of sextortion were girls younger than 16 years old.

Although it is horrifying numbers it is not a representative sample and therefore does not show the true picture of the age discrepancies.

From the case files of all the reported sextortion cases we find that a more likely distribution across age groups are:

• 12% of sextortion victims are under 20 years old.
• 10% of sextortion victims are 20-29 years old.
• 15% of sextortion victims are 30-39 years old.
• 15% of sextortion victims are 40-49 years old.
• 16% of sextortion victims are 50-59 years old.
• 32% of sextortion victims are over 60 years old.

• In other words, in almost 1 in 3 reported cases of sextortion, the victim was older than 60 years old.

IT does however, also mean that of the 20,247 reported sextortion cases:

• In +2,000 reported sextortion cases the victim was a minor.
• Close to 6,500 cases of sextortion was targeted at the elderly (60+).

The real, un-reported numbers of sextortion

A survey amongst 1,631 respondents, who were all victims of sextortion at some point in their lifes showed that:

• Only 17% of sextortion victims report the crime to law enforcement.

In other words, to estimate the real number of sextortion victims annually we would have to take this into account.

As we only have the true number for actual reported cases at the IC3 database, the below are best estimates (using the knowledge that 17% of all cases are reported).

We can on this background find that:

• It is estimated that +120,000 Americans become victims of sextortion each year.
• It is estimated that $80+ million are lost to sextortion predators each year.
• It is expected that the number of sextortion victims will grow to 264,322 victims by 2030.

If calculate the estimated numbers for each age group we find that:

• 14,292 of US sextortion victims were under the age of 20.
• 11,910 of US sextortion victims were between 20-29 years old.
• 17,865 of US sextortion victims were between 30-39 years old.
• 17,865 of US sextortion victims were between 40-49 years old.
• 19,056 of US sextortion victims were between 50-59 years old.
• 38,112 of US sextortion victims were over the age of 60.

Defining sextortion

Sextortion is a type of online sexual exploitation in which an individual is coerced or threatened into performing sexual acts or providing sexually explicit material, usually through the use of blackmail or threats to share compromising photos or videos.

Other sextortion facts

• 47% of sextortion victims got daily threats.
• 60% of sextortion victims online were extorted within 2 weeks of meeting the perpetrator.
• 54% of sextortion victims disclosed it to one or more family members.
• 26% of sextortion victims reported the incident online (to a sextortion platform or website).
• 17% of sextortion victims report the crime to law enforcement.
• 83% of online reported sextortion victims are women (14% men, and 3% non-binary).
• 78% of reported cases had a White/Caucasian victim
• 4% of reported cases had a Black/African American victim.
• 3% of reported cases had an Asian victim.
• 2% of reported cases had an American Indian/Alaska native victim.
• 1% of reported cases had a Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander victim.
• 60% of victims had a face-to-face relationship with the extorter.
• 40% of victims only ever met their extorter online.
• Men are twice as likely to become victims of sextortions with someone they have only met online (compared to women).
• 51% of victims felt pressured to send nudes in the first place.
• 15% of sextortions tricked their victims into sending nudes.
• 40% of sextortion victims freely provided explicit images of themselves.
• 53% of sextortion victims comply with the demands of the perpetrator.
• Only 37% of victims that comply with the demands of sextorting said the threats stopped.
• 5% of victims move to a new town.
• 21% of victims saw a therapist.
• 9% of victims either changes job or school.

We also included some advice and other facts:

• The perpetrators of sextortion are often strangers who use fake social media profiles or other online personas to target victims, but can also be known individuals such as romantic partners or acquaintances.
• Sextortion can take many forms, including threats to publish sexually explicit images or videos, demands for money or other goods in exchange for not sharing such content, or threats to harm the victim or their loved ones if they do not comply.
• Sextortion is a growing problem worldwide, particularly among young people who are more likely to share intimate photos or videos online.
• Sextortion can have serious psychological consequences for victims, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD, and can even lead to suicide.
• Sextortion is a criminal offense in many countries and can result in serious legal consequences for perpetrators.
• Preventative measures for sextortion include being cautious about sharing intimate images or videos online, keeping personal information private, and reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement.
• Victims of sextortion should seek help and support from trusted friends, family, or professionals and should report the incident to law enforcement as soon as possible.

Technology / platforms used for the crime

Victims of sextortion report to use the following platforms when meeting their extorter:

• 54% met the sextorter on social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok).
• 41% met the sextorter on messaging platforms (Snapchat, Kik, Wechat).
• 23% met the sextorter on video call apps (Facetime, Skype, webcam sites).
• 9% met the sextorter on dating platforms and apps (OKCupid, Tinder).
• 12% met the sextorter on email.
• 6% met the sextorter on video based social media platforms (Vine, Oovoo, Tumblr).
• 4% met the sextorter on gaming platforms (Discord, Twitch).

Content of images used for sextortion

• 29% of victims of sextortion was extorted with images of sexual acts, masturbation or sex with another person.
• 30% of victims of sextortion was extorted with images of genitals.
• 22% of victims of sextortion was extorted with images of nudity (but no genitals)
• 14% of victims of sextortion was extorted with images of sexual poses, somtimes in revealing clothing, like underwear.

What do perpetrators want?

• 51% of sextortion attempts are done to acquire additional sexual photographs or videos from the respondent.
• 42% of victims of sextortion said that the perpetrator was a partner (former or current) who blackmailed them stay in or return to a relationship.
• 28% of perpetrators use sextortion to tell the victims how to look or what to do in pictures or videos.
• 26% of perpetrators wanted to meet the respondent in person, and use sextortion to force them into agreeing.
• Only 9% of perpetrators blackmail the respondent for money.
• 7% of sextortion victims are asked to take nude videos or images of others.

What type of threats to sextortionists make?

• 65% threat the victim to post the contents of the explicit exchange online.
• 59% threat the victim to send the contents of the explicit exchange to friends and family of the victim.
• 37% threat the victim to tell the victims family or friends about explicit exchange.
• 37% threat the victim to share the contents of the explicit exchange including their name and information.

Some perpetrators even threatened with physical harm:

• 31% of victims got threats of stalking.
• 26% of victims were threatened with rape, beatings, and even murder.
• 15% of victims received threats against their family or friends.

Exploring Safe Online Intimacy: The Rise of Sex Toys

In the digital age, where sextortion and online exploitation are on the rise, many individuals are seeking safer and more private ways to explore their sexuality. One avenue that has seen significant growth is the use of sex toys. These devices offer a way for individuals to explore their desires without the need for an online partner, reducing the risk of potential online threats.

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In conclusion, while the online world poses certain risks, it also offers opportunities for safe exploration of one’s sexuality. By being informed and cautious, individuals can enjoy the pleasures of intimacy without compromising their safety.