Sextortion scams become more threatening in 2025

Sextortion scams are becoming more threatening as cybercriminals exploit artificial intelligence (AI) and large-scale data breaches to develop them in highly convincing ways Avast, leader in digital security and privacy and part of the GenTM (NASDAQ: GEN), revealed that in 2025, so far, although increasingly sophisticated, there has been a 26% reduction in the risk of being targeted by sextortion scams in Brazil. 

Avast researchers are looking at how countries around the world are impacted by these highly manipulative scams.In the US, the likelihood of being targeted by sextortion scammers has increased by 137% in the first months in 2025, while risk in Australia has increased by 34%. Avast has also revealed the top 10 countries most vulnerable to these scams, with Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa, Italy, Australia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), the UK, Switzerland and the Czech Republic facing the highest sextortion risk rates in the last calendar year.

New threatening and intrusive tactics

Criminals are refining their tactics, thanks to AI help and a wealth of personal data from the available victims of recent large-scale breaches.As the sophistication of AI increases, so do the explicit extortion emails scammers send. AI is being used by scammers to create “ imagesdeepfake“, explicit fake photos created by overlapping a victim's face on another body, along with threatening messages to distribute them.

Michal Salat, Director of Threat Intelligence at Avast, said: “Our analysis reveals that sextortion victims often receive threatening messages claiming access to their videos and private images.These scams become even more convincing with the use of passwords stolen from previous data breaches, generating an alarming sense of” credibility.

“Fear of exposure, especially when personal details seem accurate, often pressures victims to comply with rescue demands.However, we strongly advise against engaging with these scammers, no matter how real the threats may seem”.

Using Google Maps makes the approach more invasive and personalized

One of the latest techniques used by cybercriminals involves Google Maps and is designed to employ a more invasive and personalized approach, which can actually shock and intimidate its victims into complying with the requirements.

Criminals using names, addresses and emails readily available on the Dark Web due to data breaches CAN create highly targeted emails to victims containing produced footage, information and disturbing images of their real homes. Scammers also claim to have gained access to victims' devices to extort them, threatening to share sexual content or information about them.Avast cybersecurity experts have identified more than 15,000 unique Bitcoin wallets associated with the Google Maps scam, although the scope of the operation is likely much larger.

Avast experts emphasize the importance of proactive protection against sextortion scams and urge people never to engage with messages that may be from scammers.The following actions help combat sextortion efforts:

• Do not pay ransom demands or respond to threats.
• Do not engage with these emails, texts or calls, or open associated PDF attachments.
• Always report the fact to the main units of cybercrime.In Brazil, victims can contact local authorities and the National Central of Denunciations of Safernet Brazil.
• Use a reliable password manager to ensure unique passwords for all accounts and prevent reuse.
• Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) whenever possible to increase account security.
• Monitor your data for breaches using dark web monitoring services through products such as Avast Secure Identity, to be alerted when sensitive information is exposed and can act quickly, helping to protect your accounts.
• Don't panic - stay informed and take steps to protect your accounts.

As sextortion scams become more advanced, it is crucial that people remain cautious and take steps to protect their digital privacy.