• Scammers operate multiple fake accounts to interact with thousands of victims.
• Conversations are short and direct, quickly leading to explicit exchanges.
• Once victims share sensitive material, they face continuous extortion demands.
• Payments are often made via cryptocurrency, gift cards, or wire transfers.
• A highly organized and large-scale operation targeting many victims at once.

2. Four Delaware Men Sextortion Scheme (2024)

Between August and September 2024, four men from Delaware ran a large-scale sextortion and money laundering operation, targeting victims across the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. They amassed $1.9 million from their criminal activities.

Steps:

1. Global Network Setup – The group established an organized sextortion ring, operating multiple fake accounts simultaneously. They used advanced social engineering tactics to target thousands of victims at once.
2. Fake Accounts & Mass Targeting – They created dozens of fake female profiles on Instagram, Snapchat, and dating apps, posing as young women interested in casual relationships. They sent friend requests to random men, engaging in flirtatious conversations.
3. Image Collection – Once they gained the victims’ trust, they coerced them into sending explicit images by promising private exchanges. After receiving the content, the criminals quickly escalated the interaction into blackmail.
4. Monetary Extortion – Victims were threatened with exposure unless they transferred money via cryptocurrency, wire transfers, and prepaid cards. They demanded repeated payments, ensuring victims felt trapped.
5. Arrest & Crackdown – After numerous victims reported the scam, U.S. law enforcement traced the money laundering networks, leading to the arrest of all four men.