Extortion/blackmail refund

[WilliamBilson]

Last night I was blackmailed for 700 dollars, leaving 9 dollars in my bank account. The perpetrator threatened to send an explicit video of me which they proved they have, to all of my friends and family on facebook which they proved they could do. If I request a refund for this I assume the perpetrator will see a refund request and will then send that video to everyone. Is there a way to get my extorted money back without the perpetrator being notified by PayPal? Please help me, I have no more money!!!

[kernowlass · Accepted solution]

@WilliamBilson 

Are you sure that they have this video?

Only scammers send out emails saying that they have put a virus or keyboard hack on your computer and have a video of you watching porn that they will send to all the folks on your friends list.

I know because I got one, gave me a laugh as I don't view porn and even if i did i knew my computer had no virus on it.

So if you think it was this SCAM then go ahead and file a dispute BUT whether you get a refund is dependent on how you paid. 

[ahuntsinger21]

I’m in the same situation right now, I was wondering if they eventually sent the video/picture. If they did oh well I’ll own up to it but I was just wondering?

[LIS413]

They do send it to people. Still, your best bet is not to engage at all... If you respond and especially send money they are a lot more likely to keep pushing. Its good to remember they are doing it to people constantly testing who bites and will move on pretty quickly. Police etc are useless as it's overseas and they have no resources or jurisdiction. The best damage control is to warn everyone not to open their message requests. The message is usually written ALL IN CAPS so can be a good sign to let friends/family look out for. Sorry you are going through this, it is absolutely awful.

[amb4241]

In the same situation currently was wondering if they ever sent the video.  I paid $500 but want to cutoff all communication, as soon as I paid they asked for another $500.

[WilliamBilson]

@kernowlass 

I am sure that they have the video, as they sent it to me. I am also sure that they have a list of my facebook friends, which they also sent me a portion of, although I have since removed all of them and totally locked down my facebook account. It's very serious. 

[kernowlass]

@WilliamBilson 

Well they would know if you filed a dispute to get your money back.

Police maybe?

[WilliamBilson]

@kernowlass 

The police said that it would be nearly impossible for them to find the perpetrator, as the money was sent to the Philippines and I'm from the U.S. This leaves me with PayPal and my bank left to help me. My bank told me that there is nothing they can do until Monday when the payments are done processing. PayPal must have the information of the account that charged me. Is there a way that they could request that money from their account? I have all the information I need to prove that I was extorted if that's what it would require.

[kernowlass]

@WilliamBilson 

You can open a dispute if you want to but if you get the money back then surely the person concerned that threatened you with the video will just release it to your friends as they said they would?

[WilliamBilson]

At this point I'm more concerned with the money. If I had this to do over again I wouldn't have given them a cent. The issue is that PayPal is refusing to work with me on this and at this point they're no better to me than an accomplice to the crime.