Venmo Sextortion? How to Stop It (and Avoid These Mistakes)

by Dennis Faas on May, 29 2025 at 01:05PM EDT

If you're caught up in a Venmo sextortion trap and are desperate for a way out - you're not alone, and this in-depth, Q&A article is for you. If you are in full-on panic and need help now, you can contact me here for assistance. Otherwise, keep reading!

Infopackets Reader Sanjay B. writes:

" Dear Dennis,

I paid someone on Venmo and now they're blackmailing me.

Here's my story: a few days ago I met a woman on Adult Friend Finder claiming to be local to me. We chatted casually for a couple of days, but then moved to WhatsApp for privacy. As soon as I did, the tone changed; she was aggressively flirtatious. She sent me a video of herself 'buffing the muffin,' then asked me to send something back. She was very specific and wanted to see my face in the video. Unfortunately, I did.

A few minutes later, she sent back titillating screenshots of my video along with a picture of my wife's Facebook profile. She said she would post it and tag my family and friends if I didn't pay. I have no idea how she got my wife's info.

I panicked. She told me to send $500 through CashApp, but it wouldn't go through. I had to show her screenshots that it failed. Next, she told me to send money through Venmo. I did. As soon as she got the money, she said her 'boss' wanted more and I had to send another $1,000 or she would video call my wife (she sent a screenshot of her getting ready to do a video call). Regrettably, I complied hoping that would be the end of it - but, it wasn't. A few hours later she demanded another $500 via Western Union to the Philippines.

Now they're telling me I need to be on a payment plan. The goal is $15,000. I'm expected to reply to their messages every morning and every night, or they'll expose me. I know this is never going to end no matter how much I pay, so I'm wondering: can I get my money back from Venmo? Better yet, how can I stop sextortion after paying on Venmo? I tried calling Western Union and asked if it can be reversed but they money has already been picked up. Today, they sent a screenshot of my Boss' photo (taken from my workplace website) along with his email address and a fabricated message stating that I like little kids and a screenshot of my solo performance. These people are RELENTLESS! Will they really send the video if I don't pay again?

I haven't slept. I can't eat. Every time my phone buzzes, I'm convinced it's going to be someone telling me they saw the video. I check Facebook and Instagram constantly, just waiting for the worst to happen. I am at the point now that I don't care what happens (though I'd prefer not to get exposed). I saw two of your recent articles: FB Dating Turns to Crypto-Sextortion: Here's What to Do and Spanish Sexting Scam Turns into WhatsApp Blackmail, and the content was excellent. Can you PLEASE HELP? "

Are you caught up in a sextortion scheme? Need help now? I've worked on over 1,000+ sextortion cases since 2019 and know how to prevent your exposure and shut the blackmailers down for good. Contact me here for a free 15-minute phone call consultation - I'm happy to answer your questions. When you contact me, you will also receive two free reports that contain invaluable information: Five Strategies to Stall Blackmail Scammers and Not Pay Anything and Sextortion Survival Guide - Five Critical Mistakes to Avoid and What to Do Instead. These invaluable guides contain proven strategies to help you take control of the situation before it escalates.

My response:

Thank you for reaching out - and I'm really sorry you're going through this.

You're absolutely right: when you pay even once, you're marked as "compliant," and they'll never stop asking for more. They'll keep inventing new threats, handlers, and payment demands until they've squeezed everything they can from you. The $15,000 "payment plan" and the daily check-ins are designed to keep you feeling trapped - part of the mental warfare game scammers play - and are classic signs you're dealing with an organized sextortion crime ring - most likely based in the Philippines.

Regarding your question: "Will they really send the video if I don't pay again?": Whether or not the scammers follow through with their threats depends on: what information they have on you, how much you've already paid, and what you have to lose.

In this article, I'll dive deep to answer your questions, plus provide some insight on how to stay protected against sextortion, including:

Why Sextortion Scammers Love Venmo
I Sent a Scammer Money Through Venmo - Can I Get It Back?
What Happens After You Pay a Sextortionist On Venmo?
Venmo Sextortion: Why these Scams Feel So Real
How Sextortionists Use Venmo to Bypass Your Defenses
Venmo Blackmail Red Flags You Need to Watch For
How to Stop Venmo Sextortion Before it Gets Worse
Need Help Shutting this Down? Let's Talk

Why Sextortion Scammers Love Venmo

Sextortionists love Venmo because it feels familiar and trustworthy - most people use it to pay friends or split bills. Once a payment is sent, however, it's nearly impossible to reverse, and there's no real buyer protection for peer-to-peer transfers. That makes it perfect for sextortion scams: fast, irreversible (for the most part), and emotionally disarming. Scammers exploit this by pitching Venmo as a "safe" or "easier" option when a victim hesitates, knowing it gives the illusion of legitimacy while locking in the payout.

If you think you've been caught in a sextortion through Venmo or already sent money to a scammer on Venmo, keep reading. You are not alone, and there are ways to get help and take back control.

I Sent a Scammer Money Through Venmo - Can I Get It Back?

One of the first questions I get is: Can I get my money back from Venmo? The short answer is: probably not, but sometimes you can and it depends on the agent that is assisting you - plus the alignment of the moon and stars (seriously though - it's a craps shoot).

Technically speaking, Venmo doesn't offer buyer protection for peer-to-peer transfers (P2P), especially if you marked it as a payment to a friend or used vague descriptors like "help" or "gift." However, some transactions aren't sent in this manner and may be eligible for a refund.

If you've already paid a sextortion scam through Venmo, your best shot at getting any of the funds back is to immediately:

Report the transaction to Venmo support. At best you can get the scammer's account shut down, and if you're lucky, you might be able to reverse the transaction. To be honest, reversing the transaction depends on the customer service agent and whether they're willing to go through with it. Some agents will give you a refund while some won't. Those are just facts.

A word of warning, however -

Some scammers will seek retribution if you do try and reverse the funds. This is especially true if you aren't prepared to handle the aftermath. A much better way is to have a proper plan in place before trying to reverse payments. That's where I can help. I've handled over 1,000+ sextortion cases since 2019 and know this scam inside and out. I know what scammers can and can't do, what tricks and traps they have set for you (including worst case scenarios) and how to avoid them, including how to avoid exposure even if the scammers have your contact list. My plan is complete with contingencies that will get you out of this mess once and for all with no exposure or as little as possible. Contact me and let's talk about it.
Document everything - including screenshots, usernames, and payment details - and store it in a safe place. If you ever need to explain the situation to someone (especially when reporting it), having solid evidence is always better than not. That said, remember that reporting the scam won't stop the threats or prevent exposure. I have a far better way to handle this - a strategy that's designed to shut it down completely. I've had great success helping others do exactly that. Contact me here, and let's take control of this together.

Lastly, try to keep your expectations low insofar as getting a refund from Venmo. For most victims of a Venmo sextortion scam, the money is gone.

What Happens After You Pay a Sextortionist On Venmo?

First and foremost: paying doesn't stop the scam. It only escalates it.

After that first payment, the scammer will try for a double, triple, and maybe even a quad+ dip.

Either:

They say that they have more photos and videos and you need to send more to 'complete the deal.'
They say they didn't get the full amount that you originally negotiated on, and ask you to send more.
They claim their "boss" or "manager" needs a cut.
They say that your payment was delayed or blocked and request another method.

In other words, paying them once only encourages them to keep on asking for more. Based on my experience, each time they ask for more, it's usually a higher dollar amount.

Pro Tip #1: After you've initially paid a sextortion scammer, it's quite common to start receiving texts for multiple phone numbers at some point. You'll hear new voices in the scam, each with fresh threats: that's because - as I've mentioned many, many times in the past - sextortion scammers work in groups and sextortion is organized crime. As such, your info gets shared within the group and at some point you'll have a bunch of scammers grabbing a hold of your name at random, all asking for money.

Pro Tip #2: If you've paid anything at all - especially a large sum - it's highly likely the scammers will return months from now. As of late, I've seen an increasing trend where victims are re-targeted weeks or even months later. Once you're marked as someone who pays, your information may be shared, recycled, or sold to other scam groups.

That's exactly why so many people end up searching for things like "how to stop sextortion after paying on Venmo" or "Venmo payment sextortion threats." The threats don't stop just because the money is gone - and often, they come back stronger.

There is good news, however -

If you hire me, I'll show you exactly how to prevent your exposure right now in as fewest steps as possible - deployed immediately - plus, I'll show you how to protect yourself if the scammers come back later. Unlike so-called sextortion recovery "services" that claim to "catch and identify the bad guys by dropping a tracking link inside the chat" and/or "forces the scammers to delete all of your information" (none of which can be proven, and all the while charging you huge amounts in the process), I offer an affordable, proactive plan built on working closely with other victims. I've gathered all the best of the best intel I could - including pitfalls they've faced - and found solutions, then put it into one package to help the next person. The result? A proven plan that works time and time again.

My rates are reasonable, and I stand by my track record: our business has been online for 24 years, we maintain an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, and not a single complaint has ever been filed against us. When I say I can help - I mean it. Contact me here to set up a call.

Don't forget: When you contact me, you will also receive two free reports that contain invaluable information: Five Strategies to Stall Blackmail Scammers and Not Pay Anything and Sextortion Survival Guide - Five Critical Mistakes to Avoid and What to Do Instead. These invaluable guides contain proven strategies to help you take control of the situation before it escalates.

Venmo Sextortion: Why these Scams Feel So Real

Scammers often use real names, profile pictures, and even link their accounts to what appear to be legit businesses. Many steal the identities of real people (quite often scraped from 'OnlyFans') - but an even more disturbing trend is that scammers will take pictures and videos from their female victims and pretend to be her in order to go after more male victims.

Case in point: one recent case I worked on, a man met a woman through Instagram. The account looked legit (had plenty of activity, likes, videos, etc). They chatted for a few days before moving to Google Chat. Later, she sent a saucy video (pre-recorded, of course), then encouraged him to send one back. After he did, the threats began. To up the ante, the scammer sent back a fake FBI poster with the victim's name and indecent photo, claiming there was a warrant out for his arrest and threats to send it to local news outlets; on top of that, the forged FBI report mentioned that he liked little kids. The scammer then demanded money. First it was CashApp, then Zelle, then Venmo. It was later determined (through reverse image search) that the woman's account was a copy of an OnlyFans page.

That's how blackmail on Venmo often starts: it's not random. It's calculated, rehearsed, and deeply manipulative.

How Sextortionists Use Venmo to Bypass Your Defenses

Scammers exploit the illusion of safety.

Venmo feels casual-you use it for splitting lunch or sending rent to your roommate. You don't expect extortion to happen there. That's what makes it effective.

Sextortion scammers know you might hesitate with Bitcoin or CashApp. So they offer Venmo as a "secure" alternative. "It's just a simple payment," they say. Victims lower their guard and get caught in the trap.

Many victims have Googled "scammed on Venmo what do I do" only to learn too late that Venmo doesn't protect against fraud for these types of transfers.

Side note: You may also be interested in reading my article on Sextortion - What to Do (and What Not to Do) and Why Sextortionists Use CashApp (and How to Stay Protected) if you haven't already. There's some good info there that relates to this article.

Venmo Blackmail Red Flags You Need to Watch For

The scammer instantly asks you to switch to Venmo after you are unable to use another payment platform.
They send a (fake) screenshot of a "payment pending" message, then ask for another payment because the original one "didn't do through."
They insist on specific wording in the Venmo payment. For example, they may ask you to put 'family support' or 'gift' so it doesn't get flagged. This is how they bypass fraud filters.
They claim their Venmo is "personal," but a "boss" needs to be paid too. They may say the payment has to go to a manager or handler for "final clearance." It's just another angle to double dip.
They demand a Venmo screenshot immediately after you send payment. This is done to make sure the money was sent correctly - and prepare for the next round of extortion.
There is sudden escalation after using Venmo. Once you send money via Venmo, threats typically increase fast - more demands, new accounts, fake law enforcement threats, or "payment plans."
And finally: they will never stop asking for more, even after you've paid once, twice, or even three times.

These are classic signs of a Venmo sextortion scam.

How to Stop Venmo Sextortion Before it Gets Worse

Here are the first steps you should take:

Do not Send More Money

As I've already mentioned: once you send a payment, the scammers will never, ever stop asking for more. That's how this scam goes 100% of the time. However, not sending any more money is easier said than done. Once you've paid, they know you're scared - and they'll keep inventing new reasons to demand more.

That said, there are smarter ways to buy time without actually sending anything -

One proven tactic I use with clients is using a fake payment strategy - creating convincing screenshots or using deliberate "failures" to stall the scammer and break their momentum. The reason for this is simple: if you tell the scammer you won't pay them, they get angry and are likely to seek retribution. However, if you can generate fake payments on the fly and provide proof that the payment failed. That is usually enough to satisfy most scammers to calm-the-fuck-down and leave you alone for awhile so you can think clearly. But, be careful here - using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to generate the screenshots can backfire. AI, as I have discovered, is not at all good at reproducing an already existing screenshot. In my rugged testing, AI always messed up the original screenshot by changing text around or introducing very strange looking artifacts that a seasoned scammer can spot. My method does not use AI and works instantly - no messing about, and accurate results each time.

The good news is that my fake payment strategy works for most online transactions and error messages can be produced instantly. Want to find out more? Contact me here and let's put an end to your ordeal ASAP. My plan is well thought out and has a proven track record since 2019. I've got contingencies in place all set to go - all you need to do is pick and choose what works best for you.

Stop Responding Emotionally

Sextortion scammers feed off fear. Instead, respond with deliberate, strategic delays and neutral language - no begging, no panic, no anger. The goal is to appear calm, unbothered, and less profitable. If they sense hesitation or desperation, they'll push harder. Taking control of your tone is the first step toward regaining power.

If you're panicking and don't know what to say next, one strategy I recommend is deliberately stalling the scammer with a believable excuse. For example, you could say: "I tried to send the money, but it says the payment is on hold for 24 hours. I'm waiting for it to clear."

This kind of neutral, non-committal reply buys you valuable time, doesn't provoke the scammer, and helps you break their control over the conversation. It makes you seem compliant - without actually sending anything.

Be careful here: scammers hear excuses like this all day long from their victims and will undoubtedly ask you for screenshots as proof that you're not lying. If you can't produce one quickly, they will escalate with even more threats and demand you send money another way. On a side note, if you haven't already downloaded my two Free Reports on Five Strategies to Stall Blackmail Scammers and Not Pay Anything and Sextortion Survival Guide - Five Critical Mistakes to Avoid and What to Do Instead - you're missing out on a lot of good, free information. These invaluable guides contain proven strategies to help you take control of the situation before it escalates. You can receive these reports when you contact me for assistance.

Paid a Sextortionist on Venmo? Here's What to Do Next

Collect Evidence

Gather any screenshots, usernames, and payment records. While this won't stop the scammers from trying to expose you (because they own multiple fake social media accounts), it can help get the scammer's Venmo accounts flagged or shut down - and in rare cases, it might assist with refund attempts.

Just as importantly, having evidence makes it easier to explain what happened if you ever need to talk to someone about it. And if that moment comes, I have clear, non-embarrassing ways to help you frame the story - it's part of my contingency planning, if you need it. For super difficult cases, I can consult with you to come up with custom explanations, though I offer a number of really good explanations out of the box. Interested in learning more? Contact me here.

On a side note: I'm only mentioning this because it comes up often: going to Police with the evidence is a waste of time because the scammers are usually international and it's not within Police jurisdiction. Hiring a lawyer is also a waste of time for the same reasons - UNLESS you know 100% for sure the person blackmailing you is someone you know and it's not a scammer from another country. In all other instances: if you want to stop sextortion, you need to constantly be one step ahead of the scammers using strategies like I'm offering. Contact me here to learn more.

Do not Block the Scammer - Yet

Blocking the scammer too early can backfire horribly.

Here's why it matters -

When you suddenly disappear or stop responding, they often retaliate. Many victims who block too soon end up facing a surge of threats: messages to friends, emails to employers, or even screenshots sent directly to family members. Instead, there's a smarter way to back out: through controlled delays, emotional neutrality, and a structured exit strategy that makes you seem boring, broke, or not worth the effort.

Need help doing this safely? Contact me - I'll show you the exact timing and language to use to cut contact without triggering exposure OR paying them another dime.

Secure Your Accounts - but Don't Delete Them

One of the most common mistakes I hear from victims trying to avoid exposure is this: they panic and delete their social media accounts or wipe their contact lists. It feels like the right move in the moment - but it often backfires. In my opinion, it's the wrong move.

Here's why -

Scammers often interpret sudden account deletions as signs that you're panicking or trying to run away - and that can trigger retaliation because they aren't getting paid. As a result, they will likely escalate by reaching out directly to your friends, family, or workplace using the information they've already saved. You also lose visibility and control if they do try to expose you.

Instead, change your privacy settings to private. Lock down who can see your posts, hide your friend lists, and remove any personal info. This way, you protect yourself without setting off alarms. Be careful here - some scammers will likely try to infiltrate your friends list - that's because they often wiggle their way through the social media network, bouncing from one group of friends to another and even taking over some of your friend's accounts in the process through phishing attacks (I've actually seen it happen). Even if you lock things down, some scammers are able to still post nasty stuff on your page. You can't delete their nasty comments they might leave on your page or someone else's page, but there is another way around it. It's all part of my plan on how to stop Venmo sextortion - contact me to find out more.

Don't Answer the Phone if They Call

Scammers may try to call you - sometimes even through a video call - to escalate the pressure and make the threat feel more real.

Never, ever answer that call.

Video calls are used to force you into compliance by intimidating you, monitoring your reactions in real-time, or even screen-record your face to build more "proof of guilt" for their threats. If they do call, ignore it and stick to controlled, text-based communication only (if you're still engaging). This keeps you in control and prevents them from gathering more leverage.

Want help breaking contact with these idiots? I have a much safer way to handle the scammers that will put you in full control. Reach out to me now and I'll guide you through it.

Prepare for a Second Wave

I've had countless people tell me that after they made the initial payment (typically hours before speaking to me, or even a day before), the scammer seems to have "disappeared." Of course, the next question I'm asked if the scammer will return.

My answer is always "Yes", and I'm proven right all of the time. That's how this scam goes 100% of the time.

I have never, ever worked on a case where the scammer disappears after paying once. It's blackmail, after all - and there's no reason for them to stop asking for more money, especially when they do this professionally, 24/7 from another country, operating with near-total anonymity. This is why it's critical to build a long-term defense strategy now. I can help - contact me here.

Need Help Shutting this Down? Let's Talk

Searching "sent money to scammer on Venmo" or "how to stop sextortion after paying on Venmo" means you're ready to act. That's good.

That said, trying to navigate a sextortion scam on your own is overwhelming, risky, and often leads to more mistakes - especially if you've already paid. Sextortion scammers are professionals at manipulating fear, and every response you give them can either escalate or de-escalate the situation. That's why it's critical to speak with someone who has real experience handling these exact cases.

An expert like myself can help to:

Assess your risk level based on what you've sent and what the scammer knows.
Create a safe exit plan that minimizes the chance of exposure or retaliation, if not completely.
Craft strategic responses (or silence) that stall the scammer and break their control over you.
Secure your online presence and help with preventing further attacks in case they come back, even if it's months later.
Avoid common traps, like over-explaining, blocking too early, or showing fear.
Provide a complete list of worst-case scenarios other victims have been put in, and how to stop it from happening to you. It's these dirty scammer tricks and traps that get most victims to pay up - or worse yet - get you exposed.

Since 2019, I've helped over 1,000+ victims shut down these scams safely, often in just a few days. You don't have to do this alone - and guessing your next move could make things worse.

Now, it's time to take back control.

Contact me here and get a free consultation. I can help you shut this down, contain exposure, and walk away safely. You're not the first to face this. You won't be the last. But you can be one of the few who gets out the smart way.

About the author: Dennis Faas is the CEO and owner of Infopackets.com. Since 2001, Dennis has dedicated his entire professional career helping others with technology-related issues with his unique style of writing in the form of questions-and-answers; click here to read all 2,000+ of Dennis' articles online this site. In 2014, Dennis shifted his focus to cyber crime mitigation, including technical support fraud and in 2019, online blackmail. Dennis has received many accolades during his tenure: click here to view Dennis' credentials online DennisFaas.com; click here to see Dennis' Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science (1999); click here to read an article written about Dennis by Alan Gardyne of Associate Programs (2003). And finally, click here to view a recommendation for Dennis' services from the University of Florida (dated 2006).

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