North Wales Police warn of growing ‘sextortion’ threat to teenage boys
North Wales Police has issued a warning over the growing number of ‘sextortion’ crimes targeting young people with reports of blackmail through social media rising by 500% in the last decade.
The warning comes from PC David Williams of the Preventative Policing Team, who has called for parents and caregivers of teenagers, particularly boys, to have honest and frank conversations about the dangers of engaging with strangers online.
The rise in blackmail cases has been linked almost exclusively to social media sites, and while both males and females can be victims, the targets are almost always young males who receive an unsolicited message from a female encouraging them to undress on camera.
The victim is then recorded and blackmailed with threats of exposing the images to family and friends on their social media contacts list.
According to PC Williams, it is very common for the parents of the victims to contact the police, but he believes that this is only the tip of the iceberg.
He stated, “It must take a lot of courage to admit to what has happened; that’s why we think that what is actually being reported to the police is just the very tip of the iceberg.”
In response, the National Crime Agency has issued advice on how to stay safe online and what to do if you or someone you know falls victim to sextortion.
They recommend ceasing all contact with the blackmailer and never paying any money. The agency also provides links to support for victims.
While sextortion is a growing concern, there are steps that can be taken to avoid becoming a victim.
The National Crime Agency advises young people to be cautious about the information they share online and to never engage in sexually explicit conversations or activities with strangers.
It is important for parents and caregivers to have open and honest conversations with their children about the dangers of social media and to encourage them to report any suspicious activity to the authorities.
As PC Williams stated, “It’s time to be frank with the details of how the blackmailers operate.” With the right knowledge and precautions, we can all work to prevent sextortion and keep young people safe online.
More here from the National Crime Agency: https://orlo.uk/TehS2
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