Filmmaker fights back with My Sextortion Diary documentary after hacker leaks intimate photos and attempts blackmail
The hacker began spreading the content among my acquaintances. During those moments, I felt hollow and disconnected from my body. It seemed as if time stopped. I felt no shame, just shock, unable to comprehend what was happening. When I finally snapped out of it, I called the police.
- 2 days ago
October 16, 2024
Sextortion Diary by Patricia Franquesa reveals the harsh reality of digital blackmail. | Photo courtesy of Patricia Franquesa
BARCELONA, Spain — Five years ago, a hacker gained access to my stolen computer and leaked intimate nude photos of me to countless people. This hacker attempted to extort me for months and left me feeling vulnerable everywhere, even in my own home.
To take control of my life and reclaim my story, I decided to share the images myself and create a documentary about my experience. I refused to remain in the role of the victim; I took control back by telling my own story.
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An email exposed my naked photos: “I could no longer brush it off”
In 2019, I went through a period of significant change and personal growth. While attending a film festival in Madrid, I felt both excited and nervous as I prepared to present the first cut of a film which I produced. That same day, my ex-partner invited me to meet him at a restaurant. The excitement was palpable, and I felt energized. However, during our time at the restaurant, thieves stole my laptop, plunging me into an unexpected and challenging journey.
When I first realized someone stole my computer, my mind raced to the lost film files. I worried about the cost of replacing the laptop and the fear of looking unprofessional in front of my colleagues and the director. I wanted to prove my competence, and losing those files felt like a setback. It never crossed my mind that someone might use the computer’s contents to blackmail me.
After a few months of fruitless efforts to recover the laptop, despite reporting the theft to the police, I decided to move on. I bought a new one and tried to leave the incident behind me. One morning, while traveling on the Cataluña train to a meeting, I casually skimmed my emails.
I came across one that seemed like spam, the kind that usually begins with, “Hello, I am the king of Africa and have been kidnapped…” Amused, I ignored the attached photos and dismissed them without a second thought.
My world stopped, someone attempted to blackmail me
On August 1, 2019, I contentedly worked from home on flyers for the Locarno Film Festival. At 1:32 p.m., I received a message from my friend’s husband. Alarmed, I immediately assumed something bad happened to my friend. When I listened to his message, my world stopped. He mentioned private photos of me, and that was when I realized someone was attempting to blackmail me. The hacker began spreading the content among my acquaintances.
During those moments, I felt hollow and disconnected from my body. It seemed as if time stopped. I felt no shame, just shock, unable to comprehend what was happening. When I finally snapped out of it, I called the police. I sat there, grappling with the thought of someone out there taking control, targeting my vulnerabilities. At one point, I had no idea what this person had access to, and paranoia set in.
I became terrified to return home, convinced they knew where I lived and could see everything. The psychological terror consumed me as I constantly wondered if they were watching me. Even at home, I could not find peace. I covered my computer’s camera, but it offered no relief. My imagination ran wild, fueling my fear with worst-case scenarios. One day, I saw someone standing at my door, and my heart raced, convinced they came to intimidate me.
After becoming a victim of sextortion, I searched online and found many others facing the same ordeal. I decided to make a documentary, not just for protection, but to show the world that a few explicit photos would not claim my vulnerability. I aimed to expose the reality of my experience and reclaim power from the hacker.
Regaining control: “I uploaded the images the hacker had used to blackmail me”
One afternoon, while filing a police report, an officer crossed the line, complimenting my photos and telling me he and his wife enjoyed “swinging.” He even asked if I would take nude photos of them. It felt like a clear abuse of power, and I felt stunned in the middle of the police station. Though I wanted to leave, I refused to risk upsetting someone I needed help from. I stayed quiet, waiting for the moment to pass.
Soon, I began introducing myself as the director of a documentary about my experience. That way, I presented myself as the person in control rather than the victim. The documentary empowered me, helping me avoid feeling fragile. I never liked being seen as “you poor thing.” Eventually, I uploaded the images the hacker used to blackmail me. The decision proved painful but necessary to reclaim my power.
I did not want to do it, and it felt awful, but I knew I had to. While I received an outpouring of supportive messages, they led me to withdraw further to protect myself from more pain. Despite everything, I still carry tension. The police caught the laptop thieves, but the hacker remains at large. At any moment, they could reach out again. The threat lingers constantly, even though I have not heard from them in a while.
Every time I talk about the film or give an interview, I brace for a new email. It feels like a stone in my shoe—always there, nagging at me. Still, I’m eager for the film to reach a wide audience. The more successful it becomes, the stronger the impact for our cause. I am proud of the message—just one of many challenges I have faced. I am stronger because of it.
