Police warn parents of ‘sextortion’ risk as kids go back to school

As children head back to school and connect with new friends online, police are warning parents to be on guard against ‘sextortion’ attempts.

“Sextortion” cases targeting teenage boys have doubled in a year, as police and crisis counsellors deal with a deluge of children blackmailed over intimate images sent online.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) is urging parents to stay vigilant as children head back to school, when they connect with new friends through gaming and social media. Police said the new school year offered a fresh hunting ground for predators to blackmail teenagers and children, by infiltrating their online friend networks.

The AFP is dealing with 300 complaints of online blackmail against children every month, as offshore crime gangs target teens by impersonating girls and young women online.

Complaints to police have doubled over the past year.

Criminals impersonate teenage girls to coerce or trick boys into sending sexualised images, then blackmail them by threatening to share the images unless they are sent money or identity documents.

The AFP has revealed that distraught victims have suicided or self-harmed.

AFP Commander, Human Exploitation Helen Schneider called on parents to stay vigilant for “tell-tale signs of sextortion’’.

These included sudden sexualised questions or conversations, and signs that English may be a second language for the person sending the messages.

“Some warning signs include incoming friend requests from strangers or people pretending to be friends with your child,’’ she said. “(Be aware of) sudden sexualised questions, conversations or photos from a random profile, who then ask for some in return.’’

The AFP has traced sextortion attempts to Nigerian crime gangs, which have blackmailed children into sending money or even their parents’ bank account details or identity documents.

Commander Schneider said there were serious safety and wellbeing concerns for children targeted through sextortion, which raised the risk of suicide or self-harm.

“We want parents and carers to be alert to the signs, report and seek help and guidance if they have been targeted by offenders,’’ she said. “If your child is or has been a victim, it is important to stay calm and reassure them that it’s not their fault and that there is help available.

“Urge them not to send any more graphic content or pay.

“Take screenshots of the chat for a police report, and block the fake profile and notify the platform administrators.’’

Victims should report the crime to the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE).

Kids’ Helpline said on Thursday it was fielding a call every day from a teenager targeted through sextortion, with callers typically boys aged 14-19. Calls for help soared from five per month in 2020, to more than 30 calls per month in the past year.

Yourtown chief executive Tracy Adams called for greater community awareness. “Young people need to know it’s not their fault, it’s OK to seek help, and how to reach out for support.’’

Report abuse to accce.gov.au

Get help at kidshelpline.com.au 1800 55 1800