Sextortion: “Transfer the money or we’ll share your pictures”
Shockingly, 54 victims in York and 212 victims in North Yorkshire have received messages like this since the start of the year, after being the targets of 'sextortion'.
And that's just the reports to the police - there may of course be many more victims out there who haven't come forward.
'Sextortion' is a form of blackmail - and unfortunately it's getting more and more common. It involves threatening to publish sexual information, photos or videos of someone, usually to extort money.
Criminals target people through dating apps, social media or pornography sites. They may use a fake identity to befriend you online, tell you to send them pictures or videos - and then threaten to send them to your family and friends.
It can happen to anyone.
So, what should you do if you or a loved one has been targeted?
• Don’t panic: help and support is available.
• Don’t pay.
• Do not communicate with the person targeting you.
• Save the evidence: take screenshots. Save messages and images. Collect URL links to where the information is being shared online.
• Report it to your internet service provider, and social media companies (like Snapchat or Facebook) if communication happened on these channels.
The next step - and this is the important one - is to report it to the police.
We understand that it might be difficult to report this type of crime to us. But remember, our officers are here to listen and to support you in any way we can.
You can report this crime to us:
• Online – just visit our website and click the ‘report it’ tab Home | North Yorkshire Police
• Or by calling 101
There are lots of reliable online resources which you might find useful - consider looking at the websites of the Revenge Porn Helpline, National Crime Agency (NCA), the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command (CEOP), as well as Get Safe Online.
