Hundreds of Vic boys caught up in sextortion plot

Hundreds of Victorian boys have been coerced into sharing explicit images with organised crime syndicates in a “cunning” sextortion scam.

Organised crime syndicates are targeting Victorian teens in a ‘cunning’ sextortion plot. Picture: iStock

Organised criminal syndicates have targeted hundreds of Victorian teenagers in what police describe as a “cunning and manipulative” sextortion scam.

Victoria Police says there has been a “marked increase” in the reporting of online child sexual exploitation in recent months, noticing a concerning trend of male teens as young as 14 being coerced into producing explicit images online.

Child exploitation detectives believe the targeted offending stems from an offshore criminal syndicate, who are employing local ‘middlemen’ to help find vulnerable children to prey upon.

Most commonly, the offender will ‘catfish’ their male victim by creating a fake identity online, usually pretending to be a girl of a similar age.

They will send stolen intimate images to the victim in a bid to establish rapport, before forcing them to send sexualised personal photos back.

Once the photos have been sent, the offender threatens to share the content to friends and family of the victim, demanding money, gift cards or cryptocurrency.

Detective Acting Inspector Carla McIntyre said police were investigating more than 100 reports of this offending, with the belief hundreds more may have fallen victim.

“This is highly manipulative, cunning and deplorable,” Insp McIntyre said.

“They are tricking kids with no regard to how this will impact the life of the child on the end of the device. The impact can be traumatic and really harmful.”

Insp McIntyre said the force was working alongside the Australian Federal Police to bring those responsible to justice.

“Police are aware there are Victorians that may be working as facilitators,” she said.

“We encourage people to explain their circumstances to police if involved.

“We will target the ‘middle men’ and continue to disrupt the offending.”

The leading detective urged parents to have a “brave conversation” with their children.

“Let them know how it happens, that is frequently happening to children in Victoria and that it is not their fault,” Insp McIntyre said.

“The psychological anguish this type of offending can have can be really significant. There is absolutely nothing to feel embarrassed about.

“Please know that you are not alone as it is happening to other people. Police can and will help you.

“It doesn’t matter how small or insignificant you may think it is – something that may appear small could later prove vital in an investigation.”