Sextortion is a cyber-enabled crime during which victims are lured into sharing intimate images or performing sexual acts in front of a webcam. Unbeknown to victims, their actions are recorded by criminals who then use the video footage in an attempt to blackmail individuals.
Offenders commonly target their victims through dating apps, social media or webcams. Webcam blackmail usually involves people being lured into taking off some or all of their clothes in front of their webcam, only to be told that you have been recorded and that the video will be posted online and/or shown to the victim's contacts unless a fee is paid - usually a substantial sum of money.
Sextortion can have a devastating effect on the victim. However, there are steps you can take to prevent this type of crime from happening to you.
Prevention advice
- Do not share intimate videos online.
- Do not get lured into compromising situations such as removing clothes or performing intimate acts online.
- Always remember that what goes online may well stay online.
- Be wary about who you invite or accept invitations from on social networking sites. Do not accept friendship requests from complete strangers.
- Update the privacy settings on your social networking accounts so only people you know can view your account.
- Do not include any sensitive, private or confidential information in profiles.
Help and advice for victims of sextortion
If you have been a victim of sextortion, then you are certainly not alone.
Don't panic, don't respond to demands and don't enter into further communication.
If you can, confide in a trusted friend or family member, and please contact police immediately on 101.
Support
Support is available from the following:
| Lifeline | 0800 808 8000 |
| Samaritans | 116 123 or 0330 094 5717 |
| Victim Support NI | 028 9024 3133 |
| Out of hours GP | |
| Belfast HSC Trust | 028 9074 4447 / 028 9079 6220 |
| South Eastern HSC Trust | 028 9182 2344 / 028 9260 2204 |
| Southern HSC Trust | 028 3839 9201 |
| Western HSC Trust | 028 7186 5195 |
| Northern HSC Trust | 028 2566 3500 |
| NSPCC helpline | 0808 800 5000 or help@nspcc.org.uk |
| CEOP | www.ceop.police.uk |
| The Cyber Helpline | www.thecyberhelpline.com |
| Prevention of Young Suicide | www.papyrus-uk.org |
| Get safe online | www.getsafeonline.org |
| Revenge Porn helpline | www.revengepornhelpline.org.uk |
| Advice for young people | www.thinkuknow.co.uk |
Videos
Watch our videos to learn more about sextortion and its impact.
