Why This Page Exists
We live in a world of sextortion scams, fraud, blackmail, impersonation, and AI deepfakes. If you’ve arrived here because you saw something online about me that seemed unusual, embarrassing, or completely out of character, you’ve come to the right place.
As an author, publisher, speaker, and business owner, I maintain a public presence on the Internet. Unfortunately, that visibility also attracts people with dishonest intentions.
Over the years, I have been the target of numerous online scams, including cryptocurrency schemes, impersonation attempts, financial fraud, romance scams, and, more recently, sextortion scams involving AI-generated images and fabricated allegations.
Rather than remain silent and hope these things never surface publicly, I have chosen a different approach.
I choose transparency.
This page exists for three reasons:
- To provide an official statement regarding online fraud and impersonation involving my name.
- To help readers, friends, clients, and business contacts recognize scams before they become victims.
- To encourage others experiencing similar criminal activity to speak openly rather than suffer in silence.
My Position Pertaining To Online Safety, AI Deepfakes, Blackmail, Sextortion Scams, Fraud & Impersonation
I have never paid a blackmailer, an extortionist, or anyone attempting to profit through fraud, intimidation, harassment, or any other criminal activity, and I have no intention of starting now. Criminals rely on fear and silence. I choose transparency.
The Reality of the Internet Today
Artificial intelligence has made it possible to create convincing fake photographs, fake videos, cloned voices, fabricated emails, and entirely fictional conversations.
The existence of an image or video can no longer be accepted as proof that an event actually occurred.
Technology has changed.
Human integrity has not.
If false images, videos, emails, or stories involving me ever appear online, I encourage people to evaluate them carefully, verify the source, and resist the temptation to assume authenticity simply because something appears convincing.
How I Conduct Myself Online
For those who know me personally, none of this will come as a surprise.
I do not:
- solicit money through private messages
- promote cryptocurrency investment schemes through direct messages
- request gift cards or cryptocurrency payments
- ask readers to keep conversations secret
- send unsolicited explicit material
- participate in online sexual activity
- use intimidation or pressure to obtain money from anyone
Any communication claiming otherwise should be treated with skepticism until verified.
Recent Examples
Like many people with a public online presence, I periodically receive fraudulent communications.
Examples include:
- fake cryptocurrency investment opportunities
- romance scams
- impersonation attempts
- sextortion scams often involve emails claiming nonexistent webcam recordings
- threats involving AI-generated images
- demands for money accompanied by intimidation or harassment
These are criminal acts designed to create fear, embarrassment, and urgency.
Their objective is almost always the same:
To obtain money through intimidation.
If You Receive Or See Online Something Out-Of-Character Claiming to Be About Me
Please remember that modern AI technology can convincingly imitate almost anyone.
If you receive something that appears suspicious, I encourage you to verify it through one of my official websites before assuming it is genuine.
Official websites:
To Anyone Experiencing Blackmail, Extortion, or Being Targeted By Sextortion Scams
If you found this page because someone is threatening you, I want you to know something.
You are not alone.
Blackmail succeeds because criminals depend upon secrecy.
They want you to believe that you have no choice.
You do.
Speak with someone you trust.
Preserve the evidence.
Report the crime where appropriate.
Do not allow someone else’s criminal conduct to convince you that you should carry their shame.
The shame belongs entirely to the person committing the crime.
A Personal Note About Blackmail, Extortion and Sextortion Scams
I have spent much of my career encouraging people to face difficult realities with honesty, courage, and integrity.
This situation is no different.
Transparency is not weakness.
It is a refusal to allow fear to dictate how we live.
If sharing my own experiences helps even one other person recognize a scam, refuse intimidation, or find the courage to speak openly, then this page has accomplished exactly what I hoped it would.
— James C. Tanner
English