A blackmail scam is a type of scam where a cyber criminal threatens to reveal embarrassing or damaging information about the victim unless they pay a ransom . These scams can take many forms, including Sextortion scams, in which the scammer threatens to release compromising photos or videos of the victim .According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), scammers often use email to carry out blackmail scams. They may claim to have hacked into the victim’s computer or phone and obtained sensitive information or photos. The scammer then threatens to release this information unless the victim pays a ransom .To protect yourself from blackmail scams, it is important to be cautious when sharing personal information online. Be wary of unsolicited emails or messages from strangers. If you receive an email threatening to release sensitive information about you, do not respond or engage with the scammer. Instead, report the email to your email provider and local law enforcement .