Romance Blackmail Scams in Brazil
Sextortion schemes that begin as romantic connections on dating apps or social media, then threaten to share intimate images unless payments are made.
Part of: Romance Blackmail Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Romance blackmail — sometimes called sextortion — is a growing problem in Brazil, driven by the country's high social media usage and widespread adoption of dating platforms such as Tinder, Badoo, and local app Par Perfeito. Fraudsters create attractive fake profiles, rapidly escalate intimacy, and then threaten to expose the victim's images to family, colleagues, or on social media.
The shame and fear of social consequences in a culture where reputation matters greatly means many Brazilian victims comply with payment demands rather than reporting the crime.
How this scam works on Brazil
A victim connects with an attractive profile on a dating app or social media platform. After building rapport over days or weeks, the fraudster steers conversation to video calls and intimate content exchange. Once compromising images or videos are obtained, the fraudster reveals their true purpose: pay a specified amount via PIX or cryptocurrency or the content will be sent to the victim's family and employer.
In some cases, scammers infiltrate Facebook groups or Instagram communities to identify targets and then approach them with a fake identity aligned to shared interests. AI-generated profile photos are increasingly common, making it harder to detect fake identities through reverse image search alone.
Brazilian minors are also targeted in a child-specific variant where fraudsters pose as age-peers on games such as Free Fire or Roblox before migrating conversations to WhatsApp.
Common red flags
- New online partner who escalates intimacy unusually quickly
- Request to move from a dating app to WhatsApp or Telegram very early in the conversation
- Partner asks for intimate photos or video calls before meeting in person
- Sudden demand for money with threats to release intimate content
- Claimed identity cannot be verified; reverse image search reveals stock or AI images
- Partner mentions they are overseas or in a location that explains why they cannot meet
How to protect yourself
- Never share intimate images with people you have not met and verified in person
- Use video calls early in any online relationship to help confirm identity
- Do not pay any demanded amount — payment rarely ends the demands and may escalate them
- Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs) before blocking the scammer
- Seek support from organizations such as SaferNet Brasil which provides emotional and legal guidance
How to report it
- Report sextortion to the Polícia Civil cybercrime unit in your state
- Contact SaferNet Brasil at helpline.org.br for confidential support and reporting
- If a minor is involved, report immediately to Delegacia de Proteção à Criança e ao Adolescente (DPCA)
Frequently asked questions
If I pay once, will the scammer leave me alone?
Almost certainly not. Payment confirms you are willing to pay and usually leads to higher demands. Stop contact, preserve evidence, and report to police as quickly as possible.