Sextortion scams are becoming more threatening, as cybercriminals exploit artificial intelligence (AI) and large-scale data breaches to develop them in a highly convincing manner. A recent analysis of the Avast, leader in digital security and privacy and part of the GenTM(NASDAQ: GEN), revealed that in 2025, so far, although increasingly sophisticated, there was a 26% reduction in the risk of being targeted by sextortion scams in Brazil.
Researchers at Avast are observing how countries around the world are impacted by these highly manipulative scams. In the USA, the probability of being targeted by sextortion scammers increased by 137% in the first months of 2025, while the risk in Australia increased by 34%. Avast also revealed the 10 most vulnerable countries to these scams, with Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa, Italy, Australia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), United Kingdom, Switzerland and the Czech Republic facing the highest rates of sextortion risk in the last calendar year
New threatening and intrusive tactics
The criminals are refining their tactics, thanks to the help of AI and a wealth of personal data from victims available from recent large-scale breaches. As the sophistication of AI increases, the explicit extortion emails sent by scammers also become more threatening. AI is being used by scammers to create imagesdeepfake“, fake explicit photos created by overlaying a victim's face on another body, together with threatening messages to distribute them
Michal Salat, The Threat Intelligence Director of Avast highlights: "Our analysis reveals that victims of sextortion often receive threatening messages, claiming access to your private videos and images. These scams become even more convincing with the use of stolen passwords from previous data breaches, generating an alarming sense of credibility
"The fear of exposure", especially when personal details seem accurate, frequently pressures the victims to comply with the ransom demands. However, we strongly advise against getting involved with these scammers, "it doesn't matter how real the threats may seem", concludes
The use of 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, that can really shock and intimidate its victims into complying with the demands
The criminals – using names, addresses and emails readily available on the Dark Web due to data breaches –, they can create very targeted emails for the victims containing produced footage, disturbing information and images of your real homes. The scammers also claim to have gained access to the victims' devices to extort them, threatening to share sexual content or information about them. Cybersecurity specialists from Avast identified more than 15.000 exclusive 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 to never engage with messages that may be from scammers. The following actions help combat sextortion efforts
- Do not pay ransom requests, do not respond to threats
- Do not get involved with these emails, texts or calls, do not open associated PDF attachments
- Always report the fact to the main cybercrime units. In Brazil, victims can contact local authorities and the National Reporting Center 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 violations, using dark web monitoring services, through products such as theAvast Secure Identity, to be alerted when confidential information is exposed and to be able to 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. Awareness and public vigilance remain critical in the fight against these threats
