What are the red flags?

Promises to stop sextortion, identify criminals worldwide, or get arrests for thousands of dollars upfront; Pressure to buy a Phase 1 package then upsell Phase 2 monitoring; Advice that contradicts FBI guidance (e.g. do not block the blackmailer; let them "handle" contact); Hard-to-verify reviews or pressure to leave a positive review before services are delivered.

What should I do if I clicked, paid, or replied?

Ignore and block the blackmailer; do not pay them or give device/account access; Report to local police and the FBI (fbi.gov or 1-800-225-5324); if a minor is involved, also report via NCMEC CyberTipline; Ask platforms to remove intimate images; under the Take It Down Act they must remove within 48 hours for free — report failures at TakeItDown.ftc.gov; Research any paid help service carefully (search the name with "scam" or "complaint"; scroll past paid ads); free support: NCMEC for minors, National Domestic Violence Hotline for adults; Report deceptive help services at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

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Deceptive sextortion assistance services

Last updated Oct 16, 2026

Also known as: Fake sextortion help company, BlackmailHelpline / Digital Forensics sextortion help, Paid sextortion recovery scam

What it looks like

Paid "sextortion assistance" companies advertise online that they can stop blackmail threats, keep intimate images from spreading, track perpetrators, and report them to law enforcement. According to an FTC lawsuit, Digital Forensics Corporation LLC (behind sites including BlackmailHelpline.com, DigitalForensics.com, CyberBlackmail911.com, and SecurityBreach911.com) charged customers $1,499–$20,000, collected at least $60 million, often failed to deliver promised services, pushed Phase 2 upsells, and used fake positive reviews. A federal court temporarily halted the company's activities.

Who it targets

People facing sextortion or nonconsensual intimate-image threats who are searching online for help.

Red flags

Promises to stop sextortion, identify criminals worldwide, or get arrests for thousands of dollars upfront
Pressure to buy a Phase 1 package then upsell Phase 2 monitoring
Advice that contradicts FBI guidance (e.g. do not block the blackmailer; let them "handle" contact)
Hard-to-verify reviews or pressure to leave a positive review before services are delivered

What to do if you clicked, paid, or replied

Ignore and block the blackmailer; do not pay them or give device/account access
Report to local police and the FBI (fbi.gov or 1-800-225-5324); if a minor is involved, also report via NCMEC CyberTipline
Ask platforms to remove intimate images; under the Take It Down Act they must remove within 48 hours for free — report failures at TakeItDown.ftc.gov
Research any paid help service carefully (search the name with "scam" or "complaint"; scroll past paid ads); free support: NCMEC for minors, National Domestic Violence Hotline for adults
Report deceptive help services at ReportFraud.ftc.gov

Still circulating?

FTC sued Digital Forensics Corporation LLC and its CEO on October 13, 2026; court temporarily halted activities. Similar paid "help" pitches may still appear in search and ads.

Primary source: FTC Consumer Alert · 2026-10-13

Related sources

FTC press release — suit against Digital Forensics sextortion-relief scheme (2026-10-13)

Educational summary only. Verify details on the source page. Report fraud at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or ic3.gov.