FTC Accuses Sextortion ‘Help’ Firm of Taking $60 Million From Victims
Summary
The FTC alleges Digital Forensics Corporation misled sextortion victims into paying at least $60 million for services it often did not provide. A federal court has temporarily halted the defendants’ activities as the case proceeds.
Key points
- The FTC complaint names Digital Forensics Corporation, its owner Dmitry Belkin, and affiliated companies; the allegations have not been decided by the court.
- The company allegedly advertised help identifying sextortionists and gathering evidence, charging $1,499 to $20,000 for its initial package.
- The FTC alleges the firm fabricated chat transcripts and presented pre-saved coordinates as sextortionists’ locations.
- The company allegedly pressured customers to buy additional services and discouraged them from blocking blackmailers.
- The article advises preserving threats and account details, blocking and reporting the offender, and seeking help from trusted people and law enforcement.
- People who believe the firm misled them can preserve ads, messages, contracts, and receipts and report the matter at ReportFraud[.]ftc[.]gov.
Article Details
- Event Type
- FTC consumer-fraud complaint alleging a sextortion recovery scam
- Impact
- The FTC alleges Digital Forensics Corporation, its owner Dmitry Belkin, and affiliated companies misled sextortion victims into paying at least $60 million for assistance that often was not provided. A federal court temporarily halted the defendants’ activities while the case proceeds; the allegations have not been decided by the court.