How to protect yourself from AI-based image blackmail: A guide for victims

In the age of artificial intelligence and digital manipulation, cybercrime has taken on alarming new forms, including the blackmailing of individuals using morphed or doctored images created from personal photos. With the rise of this deeply invasive crime, awareness and timely action can make all the difference.

If someone—be it a friend, classmate, or group member—gains access to a woman’s private (yet fully decent and non-objectionable) photos and uses AI tools to convert them into vulgar or sexually explicit images, the victim can take immediate action to get those images removed from the internet through a trusted platform.

The website stopncii.org provides a safe and confidential way to have such manipulated images deleted from websites and platforms globally.

Victims can visit the site and use the "Create a Case" option to upload both the original and the edited (morphed) images.

The platform will then gather basic information, verify the content, and initiate a process to erase all versions of the morphed images from the internet.

This tool is particularly helpful if a blackmailer threatens to leak morphed photos online or has already posted them.

It is critical to involve your family for support and immediately report the incident to cybercrime authorities.

Legal help and reporting channels in Pakistan

Victims of digital blackmail or threats involving personal data, such as private photos or videos, are strongly encouraged to seek legal guidance.

 They can contact Digital Rights Foundation Pakistan at 0800-39393 for confidential and supportive advice.

Additionally, complaints can be lodged directly with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), which has a dedicated Cyber Crime Wing to address such cases. Victims can:

Call FIA’s helpline: 9911

Email a complaint to: helpdesk@nr3c.gov.pk

The FIA ensures that victims' identities remain confidential and takes strict action against perpetrators.

The agency operates several cybercrime reporting centers across the country. Here are key contact numbers:

Islamabad: 051-9262106, 9262107-08

Rawalpindi: 051-9330717, 9334919, 9330720

Lahore: 042-99332744

Karachi: 021-99333950

Peshawar: 091-9217109

Quetta: 081-2870057

Multan: 061-9330999

Faisalabad: 041-9330865

Gujranwala: 055-9330015-16

Sukkur: 071-9310849

Hyderabad: 022-9250009

Gwadar: 0322-2451500

Gilgit: 05811-920409

Abbottabad: 099-2384148

Dera Ismail Khan: 0966-852945