How to report sextortion in New Zealand
Don't pay, and stop the chat. Screenshot everything, then report it to NZ Police on 105, online at police.govt.nz/use-105, or call 111 if anyone is in immediate danger, and report the account to the platform where they contacted you.
NZ Police say feelings of shame, fear or embarrassment can prevent victims from seeking help.
Key points
In short: don't pay, keep the evidence, and report it to NZ Police.
- Don't pay. The National Cyber Security Centre warns that these scammers rarely stop at one payment.
- Report to NZ Police: 105 (phone or online) for non-emergencies, 111 if someone is in immediate danger.
- Posting an intimate visual recording of someone without their consent is a criminal offence under the Harmful Digital Communications Act 2015, and the District Court can order it taken down.
- If sexual images of someone under 18 are circulating online, you can report them to the Department of Internal Affairs.
Under 18? Report it to NZ Police on 105, or call 111 if anyone is in immediate danger. If sexual images of someone under 18 are circulating online, you can also report them to the Department of Internal Affairs.
Two different crimes go by the same name
One is a mass email that claims it recorded you, and the other is a real threat from someone who holds your images. Work out which one you're dealing with, because the response is different.
The email that says it recorded you
An email arrives claiming the sender has been watching your internet activity or recorded you through your webcam, and demanding payment in cryptocurrency. It may quote a real password of yours, and it may even look like it came from your own email address.
The NCSC says the password came from a data breach and the sender's address is spoofed. Don't pay and don't reply. Change that password on every account where you've used it, and turn on two-factor authentication, starting with your email.
You can check on Chainabuse whether the wallet address in an email like this has been reported.
Someone who actually has your images
This is the dangerous one: the sender has an intimate image of you and threatens to share it unless you pay. This is the version to report to Police.
What to do in the first hour
Stop the chat, don't pay, screenshot everything, report and block the account, and report to NZ Police on 105.
- Stop the chat immediately and don't pay. The NCSC warns that scammers rarely stop at one payment.
- Take screenshots of the offender's username, profile picture and messages, with the dates and times visible or recorded.
- Report the account on the platform where it happened, and block it.
- Report it to NZ Police on 105, or online at police.govt.nz/use-105. If someone is in immediate danger, call 111.
- For the mass "I recorded you" email: don't reply, change your password on every account where you've used it, turn on two-factor authentication, and report it to the NCSC.
Where to report
Report to NZ Police on 105, or call 111 if someone is in immediate danger; use the NCSC for the mass email and the DIA for sexual images of anyone under 18. Use the table to find your situation.
| Your situation | Where to report | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Someone holds real images of you | NZ Police: 105 or police.govt.nz/use-105; 111 if someone is in immediate danger | NZ Police take non-emergency reports by phone (105, 24/7) and online. |
| A mass "I recorded you" email | NCSC | Takes reports from individuals and, with your agreement, can pass them to Police and other agencies. |
| You are under 18 | NZ Police on 105, plus the DIA online form for sexual images; see also the "Under 18?" box above | The DIA's Digital Child Exploitation Team investigates child sexual abuse material online. |
| You are 18 or over and images are already posted | The platform's report option, then NZ Police on 105 | Posting an intimate visual recording without consent is an offence, and the District Court can order it taken down. |
| The platform where contact happened (a social app, game or dating app) | The platform's own in-app report option | NZ Police list reporting and blocking the account as a step. |
NZ Police: 105 or police.govt.nz/use-105
For anything that has already happened and isn't urgent, call 105 (24/7) or report online at police.govt.nz/use-105.
111: if someone is in danger
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 111 and ask for Police.
National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC): for the extortion email
For the mass "I recorded you" email, report it to the NCSC. It takes reports from individuals and, if you agree, can pass your report to Police and other agencies. The NCSC runs the government's Own Your Online advice on extortion scams.
Department of Internal Affairs: sexual images of anyone under 18
The DIA's Digital Child Exploitation Team investigates child sexual abuse material online. If sexual images of someone under 18 are circulating online, you can report them through the DIA's online form.
If your images were posted
Report the images to the platform where they appear, and report the crime to NZ Police on 105.
Under the Harmful Digital Communications Act 2015, posting an intimate visual recording of someone without their consent is a criminal offence. According to the Ministry of Justice, it carries up to two years' imprisonment or a fine of up to $50,000.
The District Court can also order the recording to be taken down, and make cease-and-desist orders. Police can apply to the court directly when a communication threatens someone's safety. If you apply yourself, the Ministry of Justice explains that your complaint must first go through the complaints agency approved under the Act. The Ministry of Justice's harmful digital communications pages explain the process.
If you are a parent
If your child is being sextorted, follow the same steps: stop the chat, screenshot the messages and profile, report and block the account, and report to NZ Police on 105, or 111 if anyone is in immediate danger. If sexual images of your child are circulating online, report them to the DIA as well. NZ Police encourage families and caregivers to have open conversations with young people.
Why report the wallet address publicly
You can report a wallet address on Chainabuse, and check there whether an address has already been reported.
Frequently asked questions
The short answers: don't pay, keep the evidence, and report it to NZ Police.
1. Where do I report sextortion in New Zealand?
To NZ Police: call 105 or report online at police.govt.nz/use-105. If someone is in immediate danger, call 111. You can also report a wallet address on Chainabuse.
2. Is sextortion a crime in New Zealand?
Posting an intimate visual recording of someone without their consent is a criminal offence under the Harmful Digital Communications Act 2015, with up to two years' imprisonment or a fine of up to $50,000. The Ministry of Justice page does not say whether threatening to post is covered, and no government page I read names an offence for the blackmail itself, so ask Police on 105.
3. Should I pay the person blackmailing me?
No. The National Cyber Security Centre warns that these scammers rarely stop at one payment.
4. I got an email saying I was recorded on my webcam, and it has my password. Is it real?
The NCSC says the password came from a data breach and the sender's address is spoofed. Don't pay or reply, change that password wherever you use it, turn on two-factor authentication, and report the email to the NCSC.
5. My child is being sextorted. What do I do?
Stop the chat, screenshot the messages and profile, report and block the account, and report to Police on 105, or 111 if someone is in immediate danger. If sexual images of your child are circulating, report them to the DIA too.
6. How do I get my images taken down?
Report them to the platform first. The District Court can order an intimate recording to be taken down under the Harmful Digital Communications Act. Talk to Police on 105 about your options.
