Police sound the alarm over rapid surge in teen ‘sextortion’ cases

Teens across the state are being “sextorted” at a chilling rate by overseas crime syndicates who trick them into sending embarrassing pictures over social media then demand money in a cruel blackmail.

NSW Sex Crimes boss Jayne Doherty is deeply concerned about a sudden surge in “sextortion” among teenagers.

Teenagers across the state are being “sextorted” at a chilling rate by overseas crime syndicates who trick them into sending embarrassing pictures over social media then demand money in a cruel blackmail.

Senior police are seriously concerned at the statewide boom in reports - five people in the Campbelltown area alone came forward last week to report “sextortion” and several hundred families have spoken to police in the last three months.

Officers will go into schools in Term 1 and pamphlets are being urgently distributed by the education department to warn parents and children.

Similar scams in the US have led to a number of youth suicides and there has been at least one report of self harm in Australia.

“These crime groups, almost exclusively based overseas, create fake profiles normally of attractive young girls,” NSW Sex Crimes Squad commander Jayne Doherty said.

The telltail signs of a “sextortion” scam.

“They then begin chatting to young boys, normally 13 to 17. We are getting some in their early 20s but it’s predominantly teenagers.

“They start on one platform where they can see your friends and followers, where they get all the victim’s contacts from.

“Then the messages very quickly become of a sexual nature and flirtatious before asking to send a ‘dick pic’ or video of themselves doing things.”

The AFP and state police forces around the country have released instructions on what to do, and what not to do, if you are blackmailed.

Once the blackmailer has the image or video they threaten to send it to the victim’s contacts. They will even name a number of the contacts to convince the victim the blackmail is real.

Beginning with demands of around $200, the amounts can be as small as $50 – small enough for parents not to notice and for desperate teens to afford.

“You have these young kids who think they have done something wrong which in reality they haven’t, but they prey on the fear that they think they will get in trouble,” Detective Superintendent Doherty said.

She said many victims mistakenly believed that because they were under age they had sent child pornography.

“We stress they are not going to be charged, they are victims and we don‘t judge,’’ Det Supt Doherty said.

She said families caught by the scam should not pay.

“Once you pay the money, we find they will keep coming at you for more. Go to your local police station and report it because you are not in trouble.”

She advised parents to stay calm and avoid confiscating their children’s devices or lap tops.

“The financial aspect is one part of the crime but the mental health effects on all concerned is a priority for us,’’ she said.

A recent FBI report into “sextortion” attributed 12 teen suicides in the US to similar scams, which were primarily run out of West African countries like Nigeria. The Australian Federal Police has confirmed at least one case of self harm has been reported here.

NSW Cyber Crime boss Matt Craft there is help available for those who go to police early.

“We can help you take down the images and also if we are told early enough can often stop the money,” Detective Superintendent Craft said.

“They know what emotional buttons to push. It has a huge emotional toll and parents need to know about this then go and have conversations with their kids.”

The blackmailers receive the funds in a variety of ways including cryptocurrency, or even gift cards.

Originally published as Police sound the alarm over rapid surge in teen ‘sextortion’ cases