Threats scam guide

Sextortion

Sextortion involves threats to share intimate images, screen recordings, deepfakes, edited photos, or private chats unless money is paid. The safest response is to preserve evidence, avoid negotiation, block repeated contact, and use official cybercrime channels.

Risk signal

Threat pattern

Severity

critical

Group

Threats

Common identifiers

Add identifiers that can be matched safely across reports, profiles, payments, and evidence without exposing unnecessary private data.

01

Social handle

Use the exact social handle shown by the scammer so CheckKaroo can link repeat signals and avoid weak matches.

02

Phone number

Use the exact phone number shown by the scammer so CheckKaroo can link repeat signals and avoid weak matches.

03

Payment handle

Use the exact payment handle shown by the scammer so CheckKaroo can link repeat signals and avoid weak matches.

04

Threat account

Use the exact threat account shown by the scammer so CheckKaroo can link repeat signals and avoid weak matches.

Evidence to preserve

Keep proof in original form where possible. Screenshots help, but transaction IDs, URLs, timestamps, and chat context make moderation stronger.

01

Threat messages

Capture threat messages with date, time, sender, URL, or transaction context visible where possible.

02

Profile URLs

Capture profile urls with date, time, sender, URL, or transaction context visible where possible.

03

Payment demand

Capture payment demand with date, time, sender, URL, or transaction context visible where possible.

04

Screenshots

Capture screenshots with date, time, sender, URL, or transaction context visible where possible.

First response

These steps reduce further loss and keep your report useful for review, banking escalation, platform reporting, and official complaints.

01

Do not pay repeatedly

Do this early: do not pay repeatedly helps reduce repeat contact, preserve proof, and keep escalation options open.

02

Preserve threats

Do this early: preserve threats helps reduce repeat contact, preserve proof, and keep escalation options open.

03

Use cybercrime.gov.in for urgent reporting

Do this early: use cybercrime.gov.in for urgent reporting helps reduce repeat contact, preserve proof, and keep escalation options open.

Urgent money loss

If money was recently transferred, call 1930 first and raise a bank or payment-app dispute. Speed matters for fund-freeze attempts.

Privacy boundary

Do not upload OTPs, passwords, full card numbers, full Aadhaar, private documents, or unrelated intimate media. Use masked, relevant evidence whenever possible.