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

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

New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez (D) released details of a recent lawsuit against Snap, which alleges that the company ignored reports of sextortion, failed to implement verifiable age-verification and admitted to features that connect minors with adults. —April Rubin, Axios, 5 Oct. 2024

The efforts were taken after deepfakes were created, disseminated and monetized via the platforms, along with the perpetuation of sextortion. —Kat Tenbarge, NBC News, 12 Sep. 2024

Aside from pig butchering, according to the UN report, criminals across Southeast Asia are also running job scams, law enforcement impersonation, asset recovery scams, virtual kidnappings, sextortion, loan scams, business email compromise, and other illicit schemes. —Matt Burgess, WIRED, 12 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

blend of sex entry 1 and extortion

First Known Use

1949, in the meaning defined above