A growing threat in the form of 'sextortion' has emerged, with crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers issuing an urgent warning to people potentially at risk. The charity has launched a campaign to warn of the growing threat to ensure people do not fall foul of the crime.

The warning has been issued as a growing number of criminals are using the technique. 'Sextortion' typically sees scammers claim to have explicit images of a victim before threatening to share them if their demands, typically payments of money, are not met, Crimestoppers said.

The images may be real photographs taken by the victim or be fake images created by the criminals. People are commonly targeted through dating apps, social media, webcams or pornography sites. Crimestoppers said fraudsters may use fake identities to gain a victim's trust before requesting sexual images or videos.

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The crime fighting charity said police have evidence of entire contact centres abroad running the 'sextortion' scam on an industrial scale. Its advice to victims is 'Don’t panic. Don’t pay. Get help. Report it'.

Lydia Patsalides, Crimestoppers East Midlands regional manager, said: “Sextortion attempts can happen very quickly and can have a devastating impact on victims, causing severe distress, embarrassment, intimidation and fear. Given the intimate nature of the photos and videos, victims are often too embarrassed to come forward and report what is happening. In some extreme cases victims have even taken their own lives.

"Anyone who suspects that someone they know is involved in sextortion should phone our anonymous helpline and report it. The call will not be traced so no-one will be able to find out that you called.”

Crimestoppers' new campaign is supported and part-funded by the Midlands Fraud Forum, a non-profit organisation that supports counter-fraud efforts in the Midlands. People are also advised to:

  • Review their privacy settings on social media so that criminals cannot see their personal information and who their friends and family are
  • Quickly end chats that make them feel uncomfortable
  • Report concerns to the police by phoning 101
  • Under-18s can contact Child Exploitation and Online Protection

Anyone who has been a victim or has information can call Crimestoppers, free and anonymously, on 0800 555 111. Details can also be provided on the Crimestoppers website.

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