# Someone threatening to spread fake images/video of me performing a sex act, what to do? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 14, 2017, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-threatening-to-spread-fake-images-video-of-me-performing-a-sex-act-what-to-do/796292 "2017-09-14T04:58:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2017, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-threatening-to-spread-fake-images-video-of-me-performing-a-sex-act-what-to-do/796292/41 "2017-09-14T18:07:05Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > It’s possible that we are talking about someone who would be embarrassed to have their mother or niece or barber see them doing a sexual act. Or someone who is worried about such things being seen by important professional acquaintances. > > You know, a normal person. If your friend had a disgruntled ex GF that sent you naked pics of your buddy. Would you think any less of him? Or would you be more likely to think less of the ex GF? ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2017, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-threatening-to-spread-fake-images-video-of-me-performing-a-sex-act-what-to-do/796292/42 "2017-09-14T18:42:20Z")
> [@Horatius](#): > > How is the threat being technically impossible, or at least very difficult, an argument that, therefore, no scammer would ever use this threat? > > There’s no way my computer has been “sending out virus warnings” to the “internet windows department”, but that doesn’t stop me from getting several calls a month from scammers claiming exactly that. > > It’s a scary-sounding warning that preys upon people who lack the technical knowledge to know it’s crap. There are literally millions of people just like that out there. Scams tend to be low-effort, shotgun-approach style. Like the calls you mention, as soon as you blow them off they can immediately move on to the next one. That way if only 0.01% of people fall for it, it’s still worth the time investment. The way OP describes the situation, it seems like this person put in a more significant time investment, since they set up this Skype session and presumably spent some time getting to know one another. That’s too much time to spend on such a ridiculous scam that’s not likely to work, and plus the nature of the scam is so ridiculous that it just doesn’t quite ring true to me. ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2017, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-threatening-to-spread-fake-images-video-of-me-performing-a-sex-act-what-to-do/796292/43 "2017-09-14T19:35:42Z")
Any video she sends can easily be discredited. The video will be either: 1. A bad CGI video where your head is superimposed on someone else’s body 2. A video where clips alternate between your video chats with her and masturbation scenes where all you see is the naughty bits. If it’s the first case, it will look so awful that no one will believe it. If it’s the second case, the context should make it clear that the video is total fiction. She’ll have a video where you’re saying “What’s the weather like where you are? _fap_ _fap_ _fap_ We should go get dinner _fap_ _fap_ _fap_ Do you like dogs or cats more? _fap_ _fap_ _fap_” Unless she really does have a full body shot of you having a good time, the video won’t convince anyone. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2017, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-threatening-to-spread-fake-images-video-of-me-performing-a-sex-act-what-to-do/796292/44 "2017-09-14T19:51:40Z")
You could just ask to see the video first and judge for yourself. That’ll call her bluff. “Before I send you the money I want to make sure it’s believable. Send it to me first and I’ll decide then”. When she balks at that and says “What? No! The video is, like, super good! Like, totally real and stuff” You can blow her off. Well not literally ---
**Author:** ![BobBitchin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ea924/32.png) [@BobBitchin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobBitchin)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2017, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-threatening-to-spread-fake-images-video-of-me-performing-a-sex-act-what-to-do/796292/45 "2017-09-14T19:54:22Z")
> [@drewder](#): > > Photo’s are hard to fake convincingly, Video is near impossible. This is the point I wanted to make. IMO, if video Photoshop was even close to believable, we could have hardcore porn of any actress. It wouldn’t be legal, but you know trekkies would pay big money for black market video featuring 7of 9 doing Picard and Worf. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2017, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-threatening-to-spread-fake-images-video-of-me-performing-a-sex-act-what-to-do/796292/46 "2017-09-14T22:24:16Z")
In situations like this, I ask myself, “What would Keyser Soze do?” Film yourself masturbating, then send it to everyone you know. See how well her blackmail threat works then! ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2017, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-threatening-to-spread-fake-images-video-of-me-performing-a-sex-act-what-to-do/796292/47 "2017-09-14T22:31:16Z")
Apparently these blackmailers usually target certain countries such as n the Middle East where it would be embarrassing to have a wank video published. I read an article somewhere about them getting people to jerk off and then they blackmail them. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2017, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-threatening-to-spread-fake-images-video-of-me-performing-a-sex-act-what-to-do/796292/48 "2017-09-14T22:41:19Z")
> [@Sir\_T-Cups](#): > > You could just ask to see the video first and judge for yourself. That’ll call her bluff. The more you think about it, the dumber it is. She says “Gimme money” and you say no. Then she… spends hours making a convincing video for free? Then I guess she has to show it to you first because if she just sends it to your mom she’s effectively shot the hostage and isn’t going to get paid anyway. “Pay me!” “No!” “Pay me or I’ll do hours worth of work and ask you to pay me again!” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2017, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-threatening-to-spread-fake-images-video-of-me-performing-a-sex-act-what-to-do/796292/49 "2017-09-14T22:44:33Z")
If you were older, you might appreciate the favor this person is doing for you. When you reach a certain age, it might be helpful to be able to show “proof of performance” in order to secure that first date. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2017, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-threatening-to-spread-fake-images-video-of-me-performing-a-sex-act-what-to-do/796292/50 "2017-09-15T00:03:59Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > If your friend had a disgruntled ex GF that sent you naked pics of your buddy. Would you think any less of him? Or would you be more likely to think less of the ex GF? What does that have to do with the embarrassment of my friend? People, other than everyone who posts here apparently, get embarrassed and self conscious about things like sex and nudity. It’s unbelievable I know but some people don’t want videos of them masterbating sent to their auntie or their kids kindergarten teacher. Hoomans are strange. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2017, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-threatening-to-spread-fake-images-video-of-me-performing-a-sex-act-what-to-do/796292/51 "2017-09-15T00:12:36Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > The more you think about it, the dumber it is. > > She says “Gimme money” and you say no. Then she… spends hours making a convincing video for free? Then I guess she has to show it to you first because if she just sends it to your mom she’s effectively shot the hostage and isn’t going to get paid anyway. > > “Pay me!” > “No!” > “Pay me or I’ll do hours worth of work and ask you to pay me again!” > 😃 That’s why it’s brilliant, it’s a win-win. I get to force her to make the video and get the satisfaction of saying “nope, that ain’t me”. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2017, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-threatening-to-spread-fake-images-video-of-me-performing-a-sex-act-what-to-do/796292/52 "2017-09-15T01:19:55Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > It’s unbelievable I know but some people don’t want videos of them masterbating sent to their auntie or their kids kindergarten teacher. Hoomans are strange. I’ll bet they do something strange, like the lefty thing. Or maybe they have a really goofy “O” face. ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2017, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-threatening-to-spread-fake-images-video-of-me-performing-a-sex-act-what-to-do/796292/53 "2017-09-15T01:39:56Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > The person exists in real life, all right, and I talked to her on Skype in a video chat, but now she claims to have captured video footage of my head and face from the Skype webcam and says she could upload a fake video of me “masturbating” and send it to my family and friends and also put it on YouTube to ruin my life. (She found my Facebook page, too.) I haven’t read the whole thread yet so I’m sure others have already commented on this but, it’s very difficult to make a fake video like that and have it look at all realistic. The person would need access to fairly high-end software and a production person with extensive knowledge/experience of creating such a work. ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2017, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-threatening-to-spread-fake-images-video-of-me-performing-a-sex-act-what-to-do/796292/54 "2017-09-15T01:42:43Z")
> [@Sunny\_Daze](#): > > You may also want to research what the laws are in your state about this type of blackmail using sexual images over the internet. Some states have laws that specifically target this (with real or faked images), but some do not. Wouldn’t it be a violation of federal law? Some kind of interstate commerce thing (even if she is physically in the same state)? ETA: regarding the difficulty of making a convincing fake video: I suppose it would be much easier to make a convincing fake STILL with a screen grab from the video… but it would still not be easy. ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2017, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-threatening-to-spread-fake-images-video-of-me-performing-a-sex-act-what-to-do/796292/55 "2017-09-15T02:15:06Z")
> [@TokyoBayer](#): > > Apparently these blackmailers usually target certain countries such as n the Middle East where it would be embarrassing to have a wank video published. I read an article somewhere about them getting people to jerk off and then they blackmail them. That sounds a lot more plausible than the OP’s story. OP jerked off on video and got blackmailed, but was too embarrassed to admit it. So after reading a thread here on the SDMB (which he links in the OP) about the possibility of future technologies potentially faking video, he concocts a ridiculous story, hoping to save face while still getting practical advice for the real situation. ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2017, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-threatening-to-spread-fake-images-video-of-me-performing-a-sex-act-what-to-do/796292/56 "2017-09-15T03:18:38Z")
Personally I’d tell them to go for it, but I’ve also got a tattoo that would show up in any porn starring me so the fake would be easy to disprove. My guess is that she/they would try splicing together footage from your Skype session with some amateur video available by the gigabyte on pornhub and try to pass it off as real. You might try bluffing and tell her that without your tattoo in the video there’s no way anyone would believe it. ---
**Author:** ![Nawth\_Chucka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nawth\_Chucka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nawth_Chucka)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2017, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-threatening-to-spread-fake-images-video-of-me-performing-a-sex-act-what-to-do/796292/57 "2017-09-15T03:56:34Z")
> [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](#): > > Wouldn’t it be a violation of federal law? Some kind of interstate commerce thing (even if she is physically in the same state)? > ETA: regarding the difficulty of making a convincing fake video: I suppose it would be much easier to make a convincing fake STILL with a screen grab from the video… but it would still not be easy. And frankly, if all she needed was his face and she already found his Facebook, why would she need to set him up to do a video w/ her? And why wouldn’t she have made strangely sexy requests in the video rather than tame chat in order to get the right expressions for faking a masturbation video? As others suspect, I also think he likely did masturbate on video w/ her encouragement and that’s what she’s using in her attempt to blackmail him. This may well be her full-time job, and from another country so she can’t be busted for it. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2017, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-threatening-to-spread-fake-images-video-of-me-performing-a-sex-act-what-to-do/796292/58 "2017-09-15T04:08:30Z")
> [@Rigamarole](#): > > That sounds a lot more plausible than the OP’s story. OP jerked off on video and got blackmailed, but was too embarrassed to admit it. So after reading a thread here on the SDMB (which he links in the OP) about the possibility of future technologies potentially faking video, he concocts a ridiculous story, hoping to save face while still getting practical advice for the real situation. I understand that sounds more plausible - and if I were you or \*\*Nawth Chucka \*\* I’d suspect the same too - but that is simply not what happened. Didn’t take off my clothes, didn’t show my cock, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2017, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-threatening-to-spread-fake-images-video-of-me-performing-a-sex-act-what-to-do/796292/59 "2017-09-15T04:28:54Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > …what’s the threat: people will know that an adult masturbates? “Your son/employee/neighbor is the sort of person who emails women he just met with unwanted explicit video of himself performing sexual acts. I’m sorry to send this lewd material to you, but I didn’t want to go to the police over this harassment since I think he just needs help for his psychological problem…” ---
**Author:** ![Nawth\_Chucka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nawth\_Chucka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nawth_Chucka)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2017, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-threatening-to-spread-fake-images-video-of-me-performing-a-sex-act-what-to-do/796292/60 "2017-09-15T05:23:08Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > I understand that sounds more plausible - and if I were you or \*\*Nawth Chucka \*\* I’d suspect the same too - but that is simply not what happened. Didn’t take off my clothes, didn’t show my cock, etc. This may not be much consolation, but she was always going to do this to you given the chance. It’s not that she decided you’re a sucker after getting to know you, it’s that she’s a con artist who’s skillful at what she does. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-threatening-to-spread-fake-images-video-of-me-performing-a-sex-act-what-to-do/796292.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-threatening-to-spread-fake-images-video-of-me-performing-a-sex-act-what-to-do/796292.md?page=4)