If you are being threatened over intimate images: do not pay, do not delete anything, and report it. Paying almost always leads to further demands rather than ending them, and the messages are the evidence you will need. This is a crime in the UK and you are the victim of it — not someone who did something wrong.
- Do not pay. Compliance signals you will pay again; demands typically escalate.
- Do not delete the messages, profile or payment details — screenshot everything first.
- Report to the police (101, or 999 if in immediate danger) and to the platform.
- You are not the first. Organised groups run this at scale using scripts.
As of 13 August 2026, Fab Guys has 129 active profiles in the UK, of which 80 were online in the last few minutes. The median age is 36 and 16% have a verified photo. Messaging is free.
Figures are read directly from the live database at page load and are not rounded up.
What to do in the first hour
- Stop replying. Any response, including refusal, tells them the account is live.
- Screenshot everything — their profile, the messages, usernames, any payment details or wallet addresses they gave.
- Do not pay anything. Not a partial amount, not “just this once”.
- Block and report the account on the platform it happened on.
- Report to the police on 101, or online. Ask for a crime reference number.
- Tighten your social accounts — set profiles to private so they cannot reach your contacts.
- Tell one person you trust. Isolation is what the threat depends on.
Where to get help
| Service | What they do | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Revenge Porn Helpline | Gets intimate images removed from platforms; very high success rate | Free, UK-wide, adults |
| Galop | LGBT+ specialist support, deals with this regularly | 0800 999 5428 |
| Action Fraud | Reporting if money was taken | 0300 123 2040 |
| Police | Criminal investigation | 101, or 999 if in danger |
| Switchboard | Someone to talk it through with | LGBT+ helpline |
If images have already been shared
The Revenge Porn Helpline works directly with major platforms to get content removed and reports a high removal rate. StopNCII.org can create a digital fingerprint of an image so participating platforms block it being uploaded — without you having to send the image itself anywhere.
Sharing intimate images without consent is a criminal offence in the UK, and threatening to share them is too.
Why being gay or bisexual raises the stakes — and why it changes nothing
If you are not out, the threat is not only about images; it is about exposure. Scam operators know this and target it deliberately, because the fear of being outed makes people pay when they otherwise would not.
The advice does not change: paying does not buy silence, it buys another demand. Galop exists specifically for this situation and will not pressure you to be out to anyone.
How the approach usually looks
- A new, attractive profile makes contact and escalates quickly to explicit conversation.
- They push to move to WhatsApp, Telegram or video very early.
- They send images first, to make it feel reciprocal.
- Within minutes of receiving something, the tone changes and a deadline appears.
- They may show you a list of your contacts to prove reach.
The speed is the tell. Genuine intimacy does not run to a timetable of minutes. Related: how to spot a catfish and romance scams targeting gay men.
Reducing the risk
- Be wary of anyone escalating to explicit content within the first conversation.
- Consider whether images include your face or identifying features.
- Keep the conversation on-platform, where reporting and moderation exist.
- Lock down who can see your followers and friends lists on social accounts.
- Use platforms with free photo verification, which makes throwaway accounts harder.
None of this makes it your fault if it happens. Prevention advice is not a verdict on anyone who was targeted.
Frequently asked questions
Should I pay to make it stop?
No. Paying signals that you will pay again, and demands typically escalate rather than end. Every UK support service gives the same advice: do not pay, keep the evidence, and report.
Is sextortion a crime in the UK?
Yes. Blackmail is a criminal offence, and sharing or threatening to share intimate images without consent is also an offence. You are the victim of a crime.
Will the police take it seriously?
They should — it is a recognised and increasingly common offence. Report on 101 or online and ask for a crime reference number. If you would rather not go directly to police, Galop can support you through it.
Can images be removed once shared?
Often yes. The Revenge Porn Helpline works directly with platforms on removals and reports a high success rate. StopNCII.org can pre-emptively block re-uploads on participating platforms.
What if I’m not out and they threaten to tell people?
That threat is the product, and paying does not remove it. Galop’s helpline (0800 999 5428) is LGBT+ specialist, deals with exactly this, and will not pressure you to come out to anyone.
I already paid. What now?
Stop paying immediately, keep every record, report to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 and contact your bank. Do not pay anyone who later offers to recover the money — that is a follow-on scam.