sextortion

noun

sex·​tor·​tion ˌsek-ˈstȯr-shən 

: extortion in which a perpetrator threatens to expose sexually compromising information (such as sexually explicit private images or videos of the victim) unless the victim meets certain demands

Sextortion is when an online predator tricks someone into giving them nude images or videos, and then demands money, more images, or makes other demands—threatening to share the images with the victim's friends and family if they don't comply.

—bradfordtoday.ca

Sextortion is a crime that is now sweeping the web, from organized criminal groups operating overseas to cyber-bullies at the local high school.

—The Desert Sun (Palm Springs, California)

Two male high school students in an Allegan County school district were recent victims of sextortion—a form of online sexual exploitation that typically occurs against kids ages 10-17.

—Sherri Kolade

Deling used text messages and social media platforms, including Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram, Kik and Skype, in the sextortion scheme against girls between the ages of 11 and 17, prosecutors say.

—Chacour Koop

Examples of sextortion in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Women and girls suffer disproportionately from harassment, stalking, doxxing, sextortion, impersonation, and online threats that inflict real-world harm, leading to physical violence, depression, or suicide. —Linda Robinson, Foreign Affairs, 31 Oct. 2024

Financially motivated sextortion schemes are on the rise, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, with teenage boys being the most common targets. —Lindsey Choo, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024

The report also identified Nigeria as one of the countries most often tied to sextortion schemes. —Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY, 6 Sep. 2024

An internal analysis in November 2022 found that Snapchat was receiving 10,000 reports of sextortion each month, according to the suit. —Lindsey Choo, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

blend of sex entry 1 and extortion

First Known Use

1949, in the meaning defined above