$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
webcam blackmail email scam
A mass-sent email claims the sender hacked your webcam and recorded you during intimate activity, demanding cryptocurrency payment to prevent release of the footage.
“sextortion scam”
↑ 73%Key indicators
Usually targetsAdults
Often hitsFreelancers and contractors
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$900
median reported loss
Typical range$180 – $9.0K
Recovery rate~5%
Annual reports26,718
Scam breakdown
1
Scammers send thousands of emails claiming to have recorded the recipient through their webcam during visits to adult websites.
2
They include a real password from a previous data breach to make the threat seem legitimate.
3
A cryptocurrency wallet address is provided with a short deadline — usually 48 hours — to create panic.
What to do first
Do not reply or send any payment — these are mass-sent with no actual footage.
Related terms
webcam hacker emailporn blackmail emailcamera hack extortionSextortion scamsEmailRisingAdultsYoung adultsProfessionalsFreelancers and contractorsSmall business ownersPayroll, HR, and finance teamsUnited StatesUnited KingdomCanadawebcam hacker emailporn blackmail email
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Thomas, 35, a adults, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate sextortion scams situation while using Email. Scammers send thousands of emails claiming to have recorded the recipient through their webcam during visits to adult websites.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: They include a real password from a previous data breach to make the threat seem legitimate.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: A cryptocurrency wallet address is provided with a short deadline — usually 48 hours — to create panic.
The outcome
Thomas realized something was wrong when email claims to have webcam footage but provides no actual proof. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Do not reply or send any payment — these are mass-sent with no actual footage. Thomas's experience shows why email claims to have webcam footage but provides no actual proof and demands payment exclusively in bitcoin or other cryptocurrency are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Email claims to have webcam footage but provides no actual proof
- Demands payment exclusively in Bitcoin or other cryptocurrency
- Uses a password from a past data breach to appear credible
- Pause before paying, clicking, or sharing information. Scammers rely on speed.
- Verify the sender, company, or agency using a phone number or website you already know is legitimate.
- Treat secrecy, urgency, and off-platform payment requests as strong scam signals.
What to do now
- ✓Do not reply or send any payment — these are mass-sent with no actual footage.
- ✓Change the password mentioned in the email on all accounts where it was used.
- ✓Report the email to the FBI IC3 at ic3.gov and mark it as spam.
What to save before reporting
- ✓Save the message, profile, phone number, email, or URL that was used.
- ✓Keep payment confirmations, receipts, and account alerts before you dispute or delete anything.
- ✓Write down the timeline while the details are still fresh.
- ✓Keep the full sender address, domain, attachments, and—if possible—the raw email headers.
How big is this problem
You are not alone — this scam affects millions of people.
These numbers come from government agencies and official reports. If you have been affected, know that this is a widespread problem — not something that only happens to careless people.
FTC 2024 fraud losses
Imposters
Most common FTC fraud category in 2024
FTC says imposter scams remained the most commonly reported fraud category in 2024.
History and evolution
- This scam family tends to persist because the social-engineering pressure works even when the exact scripts, platforms, and payment methods change.
- The specific packaging evolves over time, but the core pattern usually stays the same: create urgency, control the channel, and push action before verification.
- The FBI IC3 received over 18,000 sextortion-related complaints in 2023 with adjusted losses exceeding 12.5 million USD.
Recovery and follow-up
- ✓Save the messages, receipts, account alerts, and transaction details before you block or delete anything.
- ✓Report the scam through the official platform or government channel that best matches where it happened.
- ✓Do not reply or send any payment — these are mass-sent with no actual footage.
- ✓Change the password mentioned in the email on all accounts where it was used.
- ✓Report the email to the FBI IC3 at ic3.gov and mark it as spam.
Why this pattern keeps working
Even when the story changes, most scams still use the same pressure pattern: urgency, authority, and a request to move money or data fast.
The FBI IC3 received over 18,000 sextortion-related complaints in 2023 with adjusted losses exceeding 12.5 million USD.
FBI IC3 2024
Where to report it
If you have been targeted by this scam, reporting it helps authorities track the pattern and protect others. United States has dedicated agencies that handle fraud reports.
ReportFraud.gov
Federal Trade Commission
Central U.S. consumer fraud reporting portal.
File an IC3 complaint
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
FBI portal for internet-enabled crime reports.
Start identity theft recovery
IdentityTheft.gov
Official U.S. identity theft recovery plan builder.
Explore further
Understand the bigger picture
Who is most at risk
Who this scam targets
Primary targets
Adults, Young adults, Professionals
Geographic concentration
United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia
Primary channel
Email — Sextortion scams
Why this group is vulnerable
Adults are particularly vulnerable because this scam exploits trust in familiar brands, authority figures, and time-sensitive decisions. The growing number of reports suggests that awareness among this demographic remains low.
Sources and methodology
How we verify this information
OpenScam tracks scam patterns using a combination of government consumer protection databases (FTC, IC3, Action Fraud), platform-specific fraud reports, and verified consumer complaint data. Each entry is cross-referenced against at least two independent sources before publication.
Severity ratings are based on financial impact potential, reversibility of damage, and volume of reports across multiple reporting channels. Trend velocity reflects the rate of change in report volume over the most recent 90-day window.
This page was last verified on 2026-04-04. Red flags, recovery steps, and reporting resources are reviewed quarterly against current agency guidance.
Evidence and indicators
- The FBI IC3 received over 18,000 sextortion-related complaints in 2023 with adjusted losses exceeding 12.5 million USD.
Source notes
- FBI IC3 2024
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about webcam blackmail email scam
How does the webcam blackmail email scam work?+
Scammers send thousands of emails claiming to have recorded the recipient through their webcam during visits to adult websites. They include a real password from a previous data breach to make the threat seem legitimate. A cryptocurrency wallet address is provided with a short deadline — usually 48 hours — to create panic.
What are the warning signs of webcam blackmail email scam?+
Email claims to have webcam footage but provides no actual proof Demands payment exclusively in Bitcoin or other cryptocurrency Uses a password from a past data breach to appear credible
What should I do if I encounter webcam blackmail email scam?+
Do not reply or send any payment — these are mass-sent with no actual footage. Change the password mentioned in the email on all accounts where it was used. Report the email to the FBI IC3 at ic3.gov and mark it as spam.
Who is most at risk for webcam blackmail email scam?+
This scam primarily targets Adults, Young adults, Professionals. It is most commonly reported in United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and typically appears on Email.
Is webcam blackmail email scam on the rise?+
webcam blackmail email scam is currently on the rise with growing reports. It has been reported across US, UK, CA, AU. Last updated 2026-04-04.
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Help someone avoid this scam.
Scammers succeed because people do not talk about it. If you or someone you know has been affected, there is no shame in it — it happens to millions of people every year. Share this page with friends and family so they know what to look for.