If you are a victim of blackmail or sextortion, let me explain why you are in the right place and found the best person to help you. Frank M. Ahearn is a global privacy consultant, blackmail expert, and author of The New York Times Bestseller, How to Disappear.

If caught up in blackmail, you need to go dark by shutting down your social sites or making them as private as possible. Also, take inventory of what the blackmailer knows. Do they have your real name, email address, mobile number, work, spouse, and social sites? Any of these items are points of concern and put you at risk.

As far as the threat for money, under no circumstances pay. Sending money makes you the perfect victim, and it will open the flood gates to extreme harassment. If you send money, they can extract more information about you. Your PayPal shows your email address, and possibly your name. If you send Western Union or other cash transfer service, the blackmailer will demand a photo of the transfer. Which will have your name and address listed. A payment itself can be used as a tool for further extortion.

Everyone freaks out and is unsure what to do or who to call? Some think law enforcement, which will advise you to ignore it. Ignoring blackmail is a bomb waiting to explode. It will be a matter of time before you or someone you know finds what you do not want to be found. 

Typically, blackmailers do not expose; they prefer to harass and stalk to extract money. They know that if they release the material, no payment will come their way. Although some build bogus websites or quickly upload to streaming sites for shock value; and shock, it does. Again, most do not reveal, the problem is you do not know which will or won’t. 

One of the key concerns is whether the scammer will contact family or friends. Some do reach out for shock value, but not necessarily to expose. They may ask your spouse or child to let you know they are trying to get in touch. No doubt unsettling.

There are known groups out there that use particular methods. The Filipino group does a little chatting but asks specific questions to figure out your identity. Then they lure you to Skype, and the woman on the video claims the audio is broken, and so she types. Things get funky, and then they send you screenshots of your actions. Sorry to say, but it is a looped video, not a real woman. Then the blackmail begins. 

There is a vicious Moroccan group that will post the content if you pay or not. Another crew places ads on massage websites; they get sexual in the texting and use the info to blackmail. The list goes on with dominatrix blackmail, sissy blackmail, Facebook, Tinder, and Grindr sextortion. Predatorial blackmailer’s prey on women but do not want money, but control, and more photos.

What to do about the blackmail? It begins by setting up a consultation with Frank M. Ahearn, Blackmail Expert. Frank can identify the blackmail organization, create a plan to combat and protect your online and offline information. What the blackmailer knows about you, will determine if disinformation is needed. The objective is always to protect your identity and avoid exposure.

Online blackmail and sextortion go beyond the digital world, and when it does, it is challenging to combat. I am referring to situations where individuals have physically entered your life, be it for one hour or one year.

In-call escorts, who enter a home or hotel room, could set a person up. One step out of the room allows them to search through your belongings, collect identification, confidential business data, who knows what.

Even more dangerous is the relationship of understanding or, as some call it, a sugar daddy situation. These situations raise a person's financial standings and status. Plus, you have opened the door to your life, possibly traveled, in photos together, and did the deed of sending them an electronic payment, which is a digital footprint. The precarious part will come when end the relationship, and they will then fall from financial grace. Who knows what the reaction will be, a big payoff to walk away? Or enact revenge that turns into stalking?

Women also fall prey. Sometimes it is an online romance scam that turns to blackmail. Other times women of wealth and success are victimized. As mentioned, one of the issues with knowing your blackmailer is it can turn into a stalking situation where they don't disappear from your life. 

If you are in an arrangement with someone, plan carefully on how you are going to end it. Protecting yourself and getting out of the relationship is a delicate matter. If you are in one, Frank can help.

FA@FrankAhearn.com