Friend's ex is blackmailing with nudes—how to get him to delete them?

[Pradeep]

My best friend's ex is blackmailing her with her nudes to try and get back together. How can we make him delete them?

Your friend (22F) broke up a few months ago and the ex is threatening to leak the intimate photos he still has. He keeps messaging, saying he wants to 'fix things' but it's just to keep her scared. He even showed a screenshot of the folder on his phone. She's blocked him, but he's contacting her from a new number. Since she's in India, here's what you can do: - Keep every threat – screenshots, voice notes, even the WhatsApp database if possible. Those will be crucial evidence. - File an FIR for blackmail and for possession of obscene material under Section 354C and 506 of the IPC. - Use the FIR to lodge a complaint on the Cyber Crime portal (cybercrime.gov.in). Attach all the saved evidence. - You can record his threatening messages; a voice or video recording is admissible as long as you're not violating privacy laws. - For free legal help, contact the Delhi State Legal Services Authority or the Women's Helpline 181. They handle revenge‑porn cases. - If he does leak the files, ask the platforms to take them down immediately and file a takedown request under the IT Act. Spread the word only to trusted people so the damage is limited. The police usually act quickly on blackmail cases, so filing the FIR first is a good move. Stay safe, keep the phone locked, and don't engage with him any more.

[Deepika]

1. Stop answering his calls.
2. Save every threat – chat messages, emails, any written form.
3. Keep other harassing chats and, if possible, back up the WhatsApp database.
4. File an FIR.
5. Use the FIR to lodge a cyber‑crime complaint.
6. Stay calm and let the law handle him.
7. If you can, get his parents' or sister's contact and share the screenshots with them later.

[Sneha]

I don't think you can force him to delete the files, but you can make it unusable for him. Legal action is definitely possible, so keep an eye out for more detailed answers in the comments. Tell her to stay calm; even if the nudes get out, she can claim they're fake or AI‑generated. Panic won't help. He's a cheap guy, and I hope he gets what he deserves.

[Mukesh]

If he's openly threatening, he may have already shared the content with his friends. Men like that can't be trusted, so don't show any mercy. Explain to her that going to the police gives her about a 90% chance of protection, because the law is on her side. Collect as much proof as you can – every message, screenshot, and the folder view. He needs to be dealt with firmly.

[Deepika]

Take his phone and smash it. Most people don't keep a backup of such files, so destroying the device should stop the spread.

[Mohaideen]

Share this on /legaladviceindia for clearer guidance. Please, ladies, don't share explicit photos or videos with anyone – it's not safe.

[Arjit]

If someone is stalking you and threatening to leak photos, meet them in a public place like a coffee shop or mall, bring 2‑3 friends, and record the encounter if you can. When you get the phone, do a quick factory reset on the Samsung (Android) – it wipes everything in minutes. Also make sure to delete the WhatsApp chat. No cowards, and keep the friends with you for safety.

[Siddharth]

Give the Women Helpline a call, explain everything clearly. They'll handle the case without filing an FIR or involving your family.

[Norman]

First, tell your friend not to panic and not to answer his calls. File a proper complaint at the women's cell of a police station away from home. If the nudes get leaked, there's a government helpline that can help delete them digitally. Also, ask your friend to be brave and give her moral support.

[Bhavin]

Send him a bogus official‑looking email claiming a complaint has been lodged against him.

[Manisha]

File an FIR just to have a record. The worst he can do is leak the material, which says more about him than you. He'll think twice when the case is on his record.