The moment I accessed

Instagram notified me of a suspicious login. By then it was already too late. I changed my password - 24 characters long - immediately, but the security code remained the same. The access had obviously already been prepared. I no longer had any control.

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Blackmail instead of returning

The threat followed shortly afterwards: the account would only be returned if I paid. But I don't negotiate with someone who has repeatedly broken the law - theft, copyright infringement and blackmail.

Trust is the basis of all communication. And you can't have an honest dialog with blackmailers.

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Police, cybercrime and reality

Reporting to the cybercrime department was important and the right thing to do. The conversation was informative - and sobering. The chances of getting the account back - with or without a ransom - are vanishingly small. These perpetrators are professional, unscrupulous and only out to make a quick buck.

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What Instagram doesn't tell you

Without the paid “verification subscription” with the blue tick, you barely exist for the meta company. Only those who pay get a contact option - it doesn't say that anywhere, but it's a reality. I tried everything. Without success. And yes - I would even have gladly paid for real help.

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My conclusion: not an end, but a beginning

@sayenn.art becomes @sayenneart

The identity theft has left its mark. For a moment, I toyed with the idea of leaving Instagram altogether. But then I thought about my fans - the 18,000 people who have been touched by my art.

And I thought about the core of my work:

Making animal souls visible. To enchant people with animal personalities. To trigger emotions. To create closeness. To give smiles.

That's why I'm continuing - or rather:

I'm starting again. With full strength, a clear focus and the same passion as ever.

 

I'm looking forward to the new path - with you.​