Sextortion is a type of cyber extortion. It involves the threat of having sexual information, images or clips shared. This can be done to get money from someone, to control someone’s behaviour or to pressure someone to get further images. The incidences of sextortion are a growing concern and can often involve adults and young people who are vulnerable to harm.
Many sextortions start with seemingly harmless flirting on social media or dating sites. Criminals are experts at creating fake profiles that appear genuine.
Flirtatious conversations quickly turn sexual and the victim is actively encouraged to remove clothing, perform a sexual act on camera or share explicit images.
These images and videos are often recorded without the victim’s knowledge and then can be held to ransom. The criminals will often have already accessed your social media contacts and will threaten to share these images with them unless you comply with their demands.
Hacked accounts – If you have shared intimate photos or videos online, saved them to the cloud or have them saved on social media accounts, they could be vulnerable to being hacked. Criminals may then use these images to extort money from you.
Hacked devices – Software security is improving, however occasionally sextortion may involve malware being downloaded onto the victim's device. Once there, this can allow criminals to remotely take control of cameras and microphones which would allow them to monitor the victim.
This is sometimes referred to as revenge porn and is against the law. This includes: intimate images shared without consent, threats to share intimate images, images recorded without consent (also referred to as voyeurism).
Non-consensual intimate image sharing usually occurs in a relationship in order to shame the victim or to control their behaviour. It does not necessarily involve demands for money. It can include sharing images with friends or family and is used to directly threaten a partner or ex-partner.
Sextortion also affects children and is a method of online grooming. Children are often approached on social media by strangers through fake profiles and by adults pretending to be much younger. The abuser will gain the child’s trust through praise or flattery before asking to chat privately or send a photo.
Once the child shares an image or divulges personal information, the abuser will use this as leverage to coerce the child to do more, usually by threat of repercussions.
- Do not panic
- Do not pay
- Do not talk any further to the offender
- Take screen shots and keep any evidence
- Deactivate your social media rather than shut it down
- Report to the police and online service provider
Remember that you're the victim of a crime. You're not alone and confidential support is available. You can get through this.
National Crime Agency: Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP)
Get Safe Online
Revenge Porn Helpline
Think You Know
Police Scotland: Sextortion self-help guide (PDF 713Kb)
East Ayrshire's Adult Support and Protection Committee is developing a toolbox talk and materials, due to be available later this year.
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