Warning issued against cyber-blackmail scam
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We are warning people of an ongoing cyber-blackmail scam currently targeting random people, which threatens to post intimate photos or video footage online if money isn’t paid.
Sextortion, which is a combination of sex and extortion, involves criminals who trick victims into sending explicit images digitally to then use them as a blackmailing technique in exchange for money.
Victims are contacted through social media at random by fake profiles. Criminals gain the victim’s trust and then ask them to send explicit images and videos.
Once they are sent, fraudsters then post these photos on public sites and threaten to send it to family and friends if the victim doesn’t pay them money.
Recently, so called ‘sextortion’ incidents have been reported in the county. Around 300 in total have been reported since 2020.
In this year alone, more than 100 people have been tricked into sending money to fraudsters as part of the scam. They are often coerced into doing so with false promises from criminals who tell them that sending cash will stop indecent images from being shared on social media sites.
People have reported receiving emails from fraudsters threatening to post or share videos on social networks and demanding payment.
PC Sharon Ribbans, part of the Investigation Bureau team at Staffordshire Police, said: “This is a very distressing crime, which preys on people’s vulnerabilities and worries about any consequences. The welfare of victims is paramount and I want to reassure people that this is highly likely to be a scam and they have nothing to fear.
“Don’t be embarrassed to report it and don’t attempt to respond to any threat or pay any money. Grab a screen shot of communication, suspend associated accounts but do not delete any content or the account themselves; and please report it to us and we will then investigate.
“Inquiries are going into these incidents and we are working closely with partners such as the National Crime Agency and National Police Chiefs’ Council to crack down on offenders.”
There are a number of ways you can protect yourself from fraudsters, including:
- Setting your social media accounts to private and restrict who can see your social media
- Don’t accept requests of strangers or send explicit photos or videos online. They can never be recovered
- Don’t engage in conversation with these scammers and under no circumstances pay any money. If you do, they will likely continue to harass you and ask for more
- Report any accounts immediately to the social media site they are using to prevent other victims and so the account can be closed down
- Never send personal information online to someone you do not know.
You can report any crime through our Live Chat function on our website – www.staffordshire.police.uk, or call 101.
For further information about online safety you can also visit: