Criminals targeting teenagers online are now selling…

Sextortion is usually committed by organized crime gangs and most often targets vulnerable young people. It has become one of the most common forms of online crime.

A BBC investigation found criminals are selling guides on social media, telling people how to commit sextortion. Over the past few years, police have attempted to publicize this highly pernicious crime. Indeed, in April 2024, the National Crime Agency (NCA) sent an “unprecedented” alert to teachers after cases increased around the world.

Sextortion is usually committed by organized crime gangs and most often targets vulnerable young people. It has become one of the most common forms of online crime.

What is sextortion?

Sextortion is the short name for “financially motivated sexual extortion.” Described by the Met the police As a “type of online blackmail in which criminals threaten to share sexual photos, videos, or information about you,” sextortion primarily targets young people and is an incredibly violent and traumatic form of crime.

Intelligence professional and sextortion expert Paul Raffile spoke to the BBC about the crime and how it has quickly become very popular among organized gangs and individuals looking to extract money from people : “Over the past two years, Internet scammers have discovered that they can get very rich very quickly by scamming an untapped market.

Pointing out that teenagers in particular are currently the favored target, Raffle continued: “They find their victims by going to social media platforms and searching for high schools and youth sports teams, then 'following' or following them. ” friends “.

One of the alleged perpetrators is Olamide Shanu, 33. Appearing in court on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, Shanu is accused of masterminding an international blackmail scam in which he posed as a girl online to persuade teenage boys to send him photos and videos sexually explicit about themselves.

Shanu is believed to be part of a criminal gang who made around £2 million running these sextortion schemes. According to Metroin one case, an alleged victim paid him £240 a week as part of a payment plan until he had given her almost £8,000.

THE Internet Monitoring Foundation (IWF) released a report in September 2023, revealing that in the first six months of 2023, reports of confirmed child sexual abuse involving “sextortion” increased by 257% compared to overall of the year 2022.

What is a sextortion guide?

The BBC's findings clearly show that criminals are now selling sextortion guides online. These step-by-step instructions show potential infringers how to set up untraceable phone numbers, create fake social media profiles, and use secure payment methods.

How to Stop Sextortion

Sextortion is an incredibly distressing crime and many people don't feel comfortable talking about it or contacting authorities, but the most important thing to remember is that as a victim, you are not at fault and must be respected and listened to when you alert. the police.

Above all, it is important to always be on the lookout for potential fraudsters. If someone repeatedly asks you to send sexually explicit images or makes you feel uncomfortable, stop all contact immediately. Reviewing your privacy settings is also crucial.

Record all evidence of interactions. The more screenshots, messages, images, usernames, email addresses and bank account details you have, the more likely it is that the police will be able to track down the offender.

Ros Dowey's son Murray killed himself after being tricked into sending compromising photos by criminals posing as a girl online. Talk with the BBCDowey said: “They totally destroyed our family. »

As part of its widespread alert, the NCA has urged parents, teachers and guardians to “remove the stigma” surrounding sextortion, hoping this will mean teenagers will feel comfortable coming forward if they are one day victims of this horrible crime.