Chilling tactics sick sextortion scammers use to lure kids into sending naked pics & why YOU could be their next target

Scottish Sun

5 days ago

Users are at risk even if they've NEVER sent a nude before
CYBER CAUTION Chilling tactics sick sextortion scammers use to lure kids into sending naked pics & why YOU could be their next target
BRITS have been warned about what sextortion scammers look out for in victims - and how to avoid falling into their trap.
Teenage boys are at particular risk of being targeted by Nigerian sextortion gangs posing as young women, according to the National Crime Agency.
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Officials say victims should never pay if they're targeted
Credit: Getty
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Example of the sorts of AI images being used to scam young lads
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Young people are at particular risk from sextortion scams
Credit: Getty
But a charity has warned that the problem can strike at any age or gender.
Sextortion is a cybercrime in which criminals use fake identities to befriend victims online before persuading them to perform sexual acts on camera.
These images or videos are then recorded, and the criminals threaten to share them online unless victims pay up - though demands for money don't usually stop there.
In a number of tragic cases it has driven kids to suicide.
Scottish teen Murray Dowey, 16, took his own life in 2023 after he was tricked into sending an intimate image before it was used to blackmail him.
And in 2022, Jordan DeMay, 17, died by suicide after he too was targeted online by a criminal gang posing as a teenage girl.
Along with Nigeria, fraudsters often come from the Ivory Coast and the Philippines.
"They often target those with the ability to pay and who would have a lot to lose if the video is shared," a spokesperson for The Cyber Helpline told The Sun.
"The most important thing for victims to remember is that if this is happening to them, they are likely the victim of organised and highly-experienced criminals - they are not alone and confidential support is available."
The NCA's Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command Safety Centre received 380 reports of sextortion in 2024.
Between January 2024 and January 2025, 19 per cent of victims using The Cyber Helpline's services for support from sextortion crimes were male.
Scams rely on secrecy. Breaking that silence is the first step to recovery and justice
The Cyber Helpline
But the charity believes the number is not indicative of the actual gender balance among sextortion crimes, knowing men are less likely than women to report or seek support for these kinds of issues because of feelings of embarrassment and shame amongst men associated with crimes of a sexual nature.
Men most likely to fall victim to revenge porn were between the ages of 18 and 24 (37.5%), closely followed by 25 to 39 year-olds (31.3%).
'Yahoo Boys' scam network exposed: AI-powered sextortion linked to UK teen suicides as social media giants crack down
But The Cyber Helpline says it has worked with victims across all ages, including 21.9% of victims sitting within the ages of 40 to 66 years old, and 9.3% being between the ages of 13 to 17.
Who do sextortion scammers target?
The Cyber Helpline says there is no single 'type' of person who falls victim to sextortion, warning that anyone can be targeted.
However, some patterns do emerge.
For example, young men seeking online relationships or casual encounters, especially those flattered by attention, are often disproportionately targeted.
But ultimately, the success of these scams depends far more on timing and emotional vulnerability than on personality traits.
"Many victims are simply caught off-guard during periods of loneliness, stress, or curiosity - moments when judgement may be impaired," a spokesperson for The Cyber Helpline said.
"The impact can be profound, often leading to anxiety, shame, and even suicidal thoughts. The emotional toll is often what traps victims in silence.
"That's why it's essential to remove the stigma, reinforce the message that victims are not to blame, and encourage reporting and seeking help.
"Scams rely on secrecy. Breaking that silence is the first step to recovery and justice."
So what should everyone do to avoid falling victim to a sextortion scam?
1. Trust your gut
If it feels too good to be true, then it probably is, the Cyber Helpline says.
If you feel something is wrong and you are being asked to do things you are uncomfortable with, then put an end to the conversation immediately and seek advice.
2. Be careful of requests for sexual acts
Avoid situations where you remove clothes or perform sexual acts online.
This can include in front of a webcam, digital camera or smartphone.
The minute that information goes online or comes into someone else's possession, you immediately lose control of it.
3. Be careful who you connect to on social media or dating sites
Do not accept friend requests from complete strangers and be incredibly wary of direct messages from strangers.
Use a different email address on dating sites and make sure the email address doesn't give away any personal details such as your full name.
And don't assume that it's a safe contact just because you have mutual friends.
"A scammer may connect with your friends first to appear genuine before targeting your account," warned Jake Moore, Global Cybersecurity Advisor, at web security firm ESET.
"It's important to do your due diligence and verify any authentic connections on anyone you meet online too, before engaging in anything that may lead to sensitive communications."
4. Think about your online privacy and security
Avoid sharing sensitive information about yourself online, such as address and contact details.
Review your social media profiles and remove anything that can be used against you.
Ensure you have strong security in place on your online accounts.
What to do if you fall victim to a sextortion Report it
Contact your local police station. The police will take your case seriously, will deal with it in confidence and will not judge you for being in this situation.
You should also report this to your internet service provider who will be able to preserve any evidence they have relating to the communications from the criminals and to the provider the recorded call was made on.
Victim under 18 years of age should, in coordination with a trusted adult if possible, report the crime to the CEOP, a government team dedicated to helping victims of child exploitation and furthering online protection for minors, in addition to your local police station.
Cut communications
Don't communicate further with the criminals.
Don't pay
Many victims who have paid in the belief that the perpetrators will fulfil their promise of deleting the recordings, instead continue to receive more demands for higher amounts of money from the perpetrators.
In some cases, even when the demands have been met the offenders will still go on to post the explicit videos. If you have already paid, check to see if the money has been collected. If it has, and if you are able, then make a note of where it was collected from.
If it hasn't, then you can cancel the payment - and the sooner you do that the better.
Preserve evidence
Take screenshots of all your communication. Make a note of all details provided by the offenders, for example; the Zoom/Google Teams name (particularly the ID if possible), the Facebook URL; the Western Union or MoneyGram Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN); the virtual currency payment details; any photos/videos that were sent, etc.
Importantly, do not delete any correspondence.
Block sharing
If you have a copy of the content -then you may be able to block it being shared on some platforms. For example, stopNCII.org may be able to help prevent images being shared on their partner platforms which include Facebook, TikTok and OnlyFans.
Deepfake danger
There's also concern about AI and deepfake technology that mean fraudsters don't even need explicit content from you to carry out blackmail.
Instead, they can create realistic fake videos using a single image to place your face onto explicit content to threaten you with instead.
"Crucially, scammers often pretend to be someone you'd find sexually attractive," The Cyber Helpline says.
"For many male victims, this means offenders impersonate young women to initiate flirtatious or sexual conversations.
"But the tactic is adaptable — the scammer tailors their persona to the perceived orientation and desires of the target.
"This is why awareness and caution are essential, regardless of your sexual orientation.
"Offenders typically follow a highly standardised script, and while the platforms they use — from mainstream apps to niche sites — may change, the underlying methods remain consistent."
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.