Deepfake-Nude Extortion
A scammer creates fake explicit images of you using AI (from ordinary photos) and threatens to share them unless you pay.
Think a message like this reached you? You can check it right now.
What this scam is
Using ordinary photos taken from your social media, offenders generate fake explicit images or video with AI and threaten to send them to your family, employer, or followers unless you pay. Because the images can look convincing, victims panic. The images are fabricated; paying encourages more demands. As with other sextortion, stopping contact, not paying, preserving evidence, and reporting are the right steps — and takedown tools exist.
What it usually looks like
- A threat featuring fake explicit images 'of you.'
- Images built from your real, ordinary photos.
- A demand to pay to prevent sharing.
- Threats to send to specific people.
Common warning signs
- Explicit 'images' you never created.
- Blackmail demands with a deadline.
- Untraceable payment methods.
- Threats to expose to your contacts.
Example wording scammers use
“I made these of you with AI. Pay $1,000 in crypto or your family and boss get them.”
“You have one hour to pay before I post them.”
These are illustrative examples written by ScamSplain, not real messages.
What the scammers want
- Payment under threat of exposure.
- To exploit fear and shame.
- To keep extorting.
This is general safety information, not professional advice. It is not legal, financial, medical, or immigration advice, and it does not create a professional relationship. For your own situation, speak with a qualified professional or the official organisation involved. If you are in immediate danger, contact your local emergency number.
What to do
- Do not pay; the images are fabricated and paying invites more.
- Stop communicating and screenshot the threats and account.
- Set social accounts private and limit public photos.
- Report and seek support.
What to do if you already responded
- If you are overwhelmed or thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, US) — it is free, 24/7, and confidential.
- Report to the FBI at ic3.gov; for minors, NCMEC's CyberTipline and Take It Down.
- Contact platforms to remove content and the account.
- Report at reportfraud.ftc.gov; you are the victim of a crime.