The Threat on the Other End of the Phone: Could You Be Faced with a Blackmailer?

Recently, fraud cases have been rapidly increasing on social media platforms through fake accounts that present themselves as young girls. These accounts specifically target men and attract them to sexually explicit chats. In the later stages of the chat, threats and blackmail begin: The other party claims to be under the age of 18 and threatens to send the conversations to acquaintances if money is not sent. However, you never know exactly who the person on the other end of the screen is; this person may not even be a woman. Scammers aim to trap people by tricking them with fake identities.

Overseas Numbers and Rental Accounts: Blackmail Will Never End

The contact numbers used by these scammers usually belong to abroad and these numbers are very difficult to track. Therefore, it becomes almost impossible to reach the scammer. Moreover, these accounts are often rented and are closed after being used for a short time. Even if you submit to the blackmailer's demand and send money, these demands will never end. Paying once will only cause the scammer to ask for more money. Sending money does not solve the problem; on the contrary, it can drag you into a deeper blackmail cycle.

What to Do Against Threats and Blackmail?

If you are faced with such blackmail, the first thing you should do is to stay calm and never send money. The aim of the scammers is to scare you and get money, but this can turn into a cycle that will harm you. The best step would be to contact the security forces without deleting such threatening messages, keeping them as evidence. Although scammers try to intimidate you, you should not forget that you can be protected in the legal process.

What Do the Laws Say? There Are Penalties for Both Sides

Such incidents can lead to serious penalties under the Turkish Penal Code (TCK). Article 107 of the TCK for blackmailers states that "a person who forces a person to do or not to do an unlawful act for his or her own or another's benefit is guilty of blackmail." People who commit the crime of blackmail can be punished with a prison sentence of one to three years. Moreover, although it is difficult to collect evidence when this crime is committed digitally, it is treated with the same seriousness from a legal perspective.

On the other hand, people who are faced with sexual chats and threats may face the charge of “child sexual abuse” under Article 103 of the TCK when they engage in sexual conversations with individuals under the age of 18. This crime involves engaging in sexual acts with children under the age of 18 and is subject to very severe penalties. Depending on the nature of the crime, a prison sentence of eight to fifteen years may be applied. People should not forget that they should immediately seek legal help if they find themselves in such a situation.

Things to Be Careful About on Social Media

Always be careful when using social media. Be suspicious of messages from people you do not know and avoid sharing your private information. Profiles or chats that seem attractive may actually be scam traps. Corresponding with fake people can put your personal information at risk and expose you to blackmail threats. Avoiding sexually explicit conversations in particular will protect you from being targeted by scammers.

Don't Send Money: Blackmail Never Ends!

The common point of these types of scams is that the blackmailer keeps asking for more. Once you send money, it never ends. The blackmailer tries to keep you under constant pressure by demanding more money. Instead of sending money, report the situation to the authorities immediately and stand firm against the threats presented to you.

 Stay calm and don't fall for the scammers' tricks to protect your own safety and reputation.