By Joey Garcia, University Communications and Marketing
It often starts by sending a private image through text or a social media platform, and then suddenly, it turns into threats of exposure and demand for payment. Such is the rising case that many young men and teenage boys are facing with financial sextortion, one of the fastest-growing forms of online exploitation.
USF Assistant Professor Roberta O'Malley
USF Assistant Professor Roberta O'Malley, an expert in online violence, recently published a study on the matter in the Journal of Interpersonal Violence. Her research shows men and boys are the main targeted group and often experience significant financial and psychological effects as a result.
"Men are suffering deeply from these crimes because they combine financial and sexual harm," O'Malley said. "Unlike cases involving women and children, which are often about power or humiliation, these are mainly about money. Offenders pressure victims to pay a ransom, while causing a lingering unease to the victim."
AN IDEAL TARGET FOR FINANCIAL SEXTORTION
While anyone can become a victim of financial sextortion, O'Malley's research shows the scheme preys upon men ages 18 to 30, with teenage boys ages 14 to 17 also frequently affected. This trend is driven by a combination of factors, starting with how men behave online compared to women.
"We see men more willing to engage on dating apps with strangers who initiate contact," O'Malley said. "As a result, they quickly lower their guard and are willing to take the conversation outside the app, even with an unknown or faceless account. This often leads to them sharing images and other private information."
Dating apps and social media platforms have become common entry points for financial sextortion schemes, while AI-generated content is making scams more convincing than ever
The rise of these crimes is also tied to the growth of digital platforms, where dating apps, social media and sexting have become more normalized in forming relationships. Artificial intelligence is also a key player. Criminals can create AI-generated avatars that resemble realistic figures to trick victims into believing they are engaging with a human.
We live in a very digitally connected world, and offenders are leveraging that connection to make threats more credible. Also, by linking multiple accounts and identifying someone's school or employer, they can make the situation feel more real and serious, which makes people more likely to comply.
Roberta O'Malley
USF Assistant Professor
FINANCIAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS
For her research, O'Malley used a combination of analyzing online victim communities and conducting surveys, where 169 male participants shared their experiences with financial sextortion. Victims reported feeling extremely anxious and fearful, often experiencing a profound sense of shock when the person they were interacting with turned out to be a scam artist.
"Many responses showed that victims believed they had more control over their online presence, and this experience challenged that belief," O'Malley said. "There was also a strong sense of shame and embarrassment, often accompanied by self-blame."
Research found male victims of financial sextortion commonly reported anxiety, shame and ongoing concerns about the potential release of private images
Men further described a lingering anxiety from not having control over the images and not knowing who has them or if they could resurface in the future. In another study, O'Malley found that nearly 54% reported experiencing some level of suicidal ideation, underscoring how common and severe these emotional responses can be.
PREVENTIVE AND ACTIONABLE STEPS
According to O'Malley, a multi-country study conducted across 10 countries found that approximately 14.5% of adults had experienced sextortion, highlighting the scale of the issue.
Even if one thinks they are smart enough not fall prey, technology is becoming more realistic and deceptive. Still, O'Malley says there are several warning signs to look for:
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- Being approached on social media by new profiles with small followings
- People expressing strong emotions within the first few moments of connecting
- Requests to connect on multiple social media platforms
- Making excuses for not turning on a camera or audio
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If one does happen to fall into a financial sextortion scheme, O'Malley urges remaining calm. Most of these cybercriminals are trying to see how much they can get away with for a payment. She suggests the below actions:
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- Not paying the offender as that can encourage them to continue demanding more money
- Cease all communication with the offender
- File a report through the Internet Crime Complaint Center
- If the victim is a minor, resources like Take It Down can help remove images from the internet
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"Victims should begin to see themselves as victims rather than blaming themselves, which can help them regain a sense of control," O'Malley said. "As these crimes become more common, there is growing interest in understanding them better and helping people know what to do if they are affected. Being cautious on dating apps and social media, and paying attention to these warning signs, can help reduce risk."
