Detectives are warning social media users to be vigilant and not share private intimate images online with strangers.
‘Sextortion’ refers to a specific type of cyber-enabled crime in which victims are lured into recording themselves performing sexual acts or providing intimate images.
Blackmail
Without victims’ knowledge, their actions are recorded by criminals who then use the video footage or the images they have shared to blackmail them.
Generally, criminals request money and if demands are not met the offenders threaten to upload the recordings or images to the internet and send them to the victims’ friends and family.
Sometimes there are even escalating requests for further payment.
Increase in incidents
Just recently officers have seen an increase in these types of incidents but the images have been shared with the victim’s contacts. No money has been sent.
On one occasion the victim reported that he was speaking to a woman online and pictures were exchanged. The blackmailers then threatened to expose intimate pictures of him to his friends and family if he did not pay £1,000. No money was handed over, but the blackmailers set up a group chat of the victims’ followers and distributed the images.
On another occasion the victim was messaged by the suspect, who asked to see intimate images. The suspect screen recorded the image and demanded money or she would send the images on. No money was sent but the images were posted in a chat group.
Do not pay!
Detective Sergeant Andrew West from the East Kent CID said: ‘Our advice remains not to pay. However the blackmailers are increasingly sharing images if you don’t pay.
‘If you do pay they will likely continue to target you for further payments until you can no longer afford to and the images are shared anyway.
‘We would still encourage people not to pay the blackmailers but also to think before they share intimate images or videos online with someone. Especially if the request for such images escalates soon after initial contact, even the same day.
‘We are investigating these incidents with a view to bringing offenders to justice and want to take this opportunity to remind people of the ways they can prevent themselves falling victim.
‘Any victims of unreported offences should contact police. Officers take reports of this kind seriously and each case will be dealt with in confidence with no judgement made.’
How to avoid becoming a victim:
- Be very careful about who you befriend online, especially if you’re considering sharing anything intimate with them.
- The attractive person in the video chat may have been coerced themselves. A profile photo may be of someone completely different, or not represent a true location for the person. You could perform a reverse image search for the profile image and see if it appears elsewhere on the web but in a different context, for instance it might be a stock photo of a model or of a background.
- It is still best not to share intimate images or sexual acts online even with people you know. Videos can be recorded, images can be saved or have screenshots made from them, and easily published online where they can be shared and copied further.
- Once images are out there, they are very difficult to get rid of. If it’s happened to you, don’t panic. You may naturally feel ashamed or embarrassed, but remember, you are the victim of organised criminals, you are not alone, and confidential support is available.
- Be wary if you are asked to move from an initial platform to another one and are then asked for such images.
- Check your social media security settings to restrict viewing access by strangers to your contacts.
- Check your devices camera settings and only activate the camera when you need it.
- Be wary of poor quality or pre recorded video contact. If what you see on screen doesn’t feel right or seems wrong, don’t engage further. Report it.
- Don’t pay up. The criminal may publish the compromising images anyway, or they may come back to you for more money.
- Screenshot any usernames, email, contact details or other information that relate to the suspect.
- End all communication with the blackmailers.
Contact the Police
You can do that using any of the non-emergency methods here: https://www.kent.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us/
If you’re under 18 years old, speak to an adult you trust immediately. They will support you. You can also get in touch with CEOP (the police Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command) https://www.ceop.police.uk/ceop-reporting