How Sextortion Scammers Find Their Victims (And How to Stay Off Their Radar)

You didn’t do anything wrong.

But somehow, a stranger messaged you with confidence — as if they already knew you’d reply. And then the threats started.

If you’ve ever wondered, how did they find me? — you’re not alone.

This guide will explain exactly how sextortion scammers choose their victims — and how to avoid becoming one.

It’s Not Random — It’s a Strategy

Sextortion scams aren’t chaotic. Scammers follow patterns and target people based on:

• Publicly available information

• How active and visible you are online

• Perceived vulnerability or curiosity

These aren’t “hacks” — they’re manipulations of what people openly share.

1. Where Scammers Hunt for Victims

• Instagram and TikTok

  • Public profiles with selfies or travel pics

  • Comments or likes on “flirty” or attention-grabbing content

• Dating Apps

  • Bumble, Tinder, and even Facebook Dating

  • Scammers pose as attractive matches and move the chat to Snapchat or WhatsApp

• Gaming Platforms

  • Discord, Steam, or mobile games with chat features

  • Often used to target teens or young adults

• WhatsApp / Telegram Leaks

  • Scammers buy or scrape phone numbers and send messages in bulk

2. Signs They’ve Chosen You

• You get followed by a “too perfect” profile

• They message fast and flirt early

• They ask for your Snapchat or number

• They push for a private video or exchange

If this sounds familiar, they’re following a script that’s worked on others.

3. What Makes You a Target?

You didn’t do anything wrong. But these are things scammers use as signals:

• A public social media profile with personal info

• Sharing your username or number across platforms

• Engaging with strangers or flirty content

• Being in a country they’re targeting (like USA, UK, Canada)

Scammers aren’t looking for bad people — they’re looking for accessible people.

4. How to Stay Off a Scammer’s Radar

You don’t have to go offline to stay safe. But do this:

• Make social profiles private

• Don’t accept DMs from unknown accounts

• Avoid sharing personal info like email, location, or WhatsApp number publicly

• Use different usernames across platforms

• Don’t click links from strangers

• Use a profile photo that doesn’t scream "DM me"

Most scammers won’t even try if you’re not an easy target.

5. Already Messaged? Don’t Panic

If you’ve already spoken to someone suspicious:

• Stop replying immediately

• Take screenshots of everything

• Block and report their account

• Do not send more content or money

• Seek help — the earlier, the better

Final Thoughts

Being approached by a sextortion scammer doesn’t mean you’re naive or foolish — it means they’ve perfected a formula.

But with some privacy changes and smart habits, you can make sure you never appear in their targeting list again.

And if something already happened — know this: it’s not too late to take back control.