Romance Blackmail Scams in Trinidad and Tobago
Sextortion scammers target residents of Trinidad and Tobago through fake online relationships, threatening to share intimate content with family and contacts unless paid.
Part of: Romance Blackmail Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Romance blackmail — sextortion — is a growing problem in Trinidad and Tobago. Scammers cultivate online relationships to obtain compromising content and then leverage the victim's fear of exposure to extort ongoing payments. The English-speaking population and widespread social media use make Trinidadian and Tobagonian residents accessible targets for both local and international sextortion networks.
The TTPS Fraud Squad has recorded significant numbers of cases, and the true figure is likely much higher given the stigma that prevents many victims from reporting.
How this scam works on Trinidad and Tobago
Victims in Trinidad and Tobago most often encounter sextortion through Facebook and Instagram DMs. A new contact — presenting as an attractive person seeking connection — quickly escalates to intimate video conversations and encourages sharing of personal content.
Once content is obtained, a blackmail demand arrives: pay via bank transfer or cryptocurrency or the material will be shared with the victim's named Facebook friends, family members, or employer.
A common local variant involves a fake 'police officer' who contacts the victim separately, claiming they have been implicated in an obscenity investigation and can resolve the matter by paying a fine — adding an official-impersonation layer to the pressure.
Common red flags
- New online contact escalates to intimate conversation unusually quickly
- Profile is new, has few mutual connections, and uses high-quality photographs
- Blackmail demand arrives within hours or days of intimate content being shared
- A second person posing as a police officer amplifies the threat
- Payment demanded via bank transfer, cryptocurrency, or gift cards
- Threats continue after an initial payment
How to protect yourself
- Never share intimate images or videos with someone you have not met in person
- Treat rapid intimacy escalation from an unknown online contact as a red flag
- Stop all payments immediately if threatened — payment does not end demands
- Screenshot and preserve all threatening communications before blocking the account
- Report to the TTPS Fraud Squad — sextortion is a criminal offence
How to report it
- Report to the TTPS Fraud Squad with all conversation evidence
- Report the account to the social media platform for removal
- If a fake police officer was involved, report that impersonation separately
Frequently asked questions
Is sextortion a criminal offence in Trinidad and Tobago?
Yes. Sextortion involves elements of blackmail and potentially image-based abuse, both of which are criminal matters. The TTPS Fraud Squad handles these complaints.