10 LAWYER’S RECOMMENDATIONS  FOR ONLINE BLACKMAIL VICTIM

Recommendations and what we can offer:

1. Do not block the scammer 

The person blackmailing you has the victim mentality, hence you can expect inconsistent behavior after blocking one. In point of fact, blocking him will only strengthen the abuser’s determination to accomplish his or her goal.

2. Do not panic, try to not get outraged

You should try to accept the fact of being emotionally and mentally blackmailed. In case you feel that what is requested of you is not fair, do not take offense even if it doesn’t seem right.  If you learn to accept pressure in some moments, the blackmailer will retract. The scammer will test your limits but you have to stay calm.

3. Make a statement abuse to the website 

The website you have been abused on (especially if it is dating website) will have an appropriate policy to help handle such cases. It is necessary to contact them and report the case. We can do it on your behalf.

4. Report to the police

There are solid reasons for reporting a crime. The police departments deal with all types of crime on a daily basis; hence, there is a possibility that the offender will be caught. 

5. Tell the scammer criminal consequences of these actions

You should explain to the person blackmailing you that this is a criminal case and it will be prosecuted in accordance with the law. Inform her or him that the penalty for blackmail can be a sentence of up to 14 years in prison.

6. If unwanted content was published

Don’t panic, there are ways to remove any type of information (photos, videos, data) on the web. There is a chain of steps for accomplishing this goal. First, you need to report to the police the case. It is recommended to have a lawyer representing your interests. 

Regarding your report to the police, officers must send an official letter to the Internet provider. The Internet provider has the legal power to force websites to delete unwanted content. This is a lawful procedure.

7. Prevent the ication of unwanted content

If you don’t want it to be published on the Internet at all, there are options to prevent publication. This alternative is quite advance, hence this should be agreed separately.

8. Warn your family relatives and colleagues at work

Notify that against you may be campaigned to undermine your professional reputation (now it is possible to fake your voice or picture and teach an AI through the neural network);

9. Think like a policeman

Has it happened to you before? You need to try to investigate the primary reason for the blackmail:

a) you have been trapped by accident; 

b) you are the primary target and it was not by chance;

c) somebody wants to ruin your life on purpose.

If so, then we can take the issue more seriously and investigate and clarify cause-effect relationships, down to the identity of the abuser\scammer.

10. Contact blackmail attorney

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