Don’t have heart-broken by dating app fraudsters - PSNI
Scammers posing as lovers target as many as 40 victims a month in NI in 2021.
Last updated 14th Feb 2022
Singles hoping to be struck by Cupid’s arrow online are being reminded to be wary of the dangers of fraudsters.
The PSNI says ‘sextortion’, a form of online blackmail by organised criminal gangs posing as potential lovers, is on the rise in Northern Ireland.
In 2021, there were between 35 and 40 reporters of it per month. Almost half of the victims were men aged between 18 and 29.
The focus of the PSNI is on prevention, because it is believed many of the criminals behind the scams are based in Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe.
Detective Chief Inspector David McBurney explains how unwitting victims are lured into sharing images or performing sexual acts online.
“It starts with flirting, supposed attraction between two people but unfortunately it results in humiliation and embarrassment and that has unfortunately resulted in people even taking their own lives,” he said.
“The criminal gangs typically use a false identity to befriend a victim online, the conversation may turn sexual, and the offender may then send images of a male or female removing clothing or performing sexual acts.
“The victim is then lured into doing the same, believing that it is solely for the benefit of their new friend.
“The offender will then tell the victim that they have recorded the video, and demand money with a threat that if a certain amount of money is not paid, then they’ll post the images online and send them to all their contact their friends their family, even their grandparents will be informed, so the victim is left in an embarrassing and possibly humiliating situation where they don’t know what to do.
“The amount of money demanded depends on the situation. There are various amounts ranging from hundreds to thousands of pounds, but the amount can change during the conversation.”
The advice from DCI McBurney is to avoid getting tricked into compromising situations.
“Trust your gut, trust your instinct, if something doesn’t feel right remove yourself because remember that what goes online, may always stay online.
“If it does happen to you, please don’t panic. Remember that you are the victim in this.
“Don’t pay, there’s no guarantee that if you pay these people won’t come back looking more because they do see this person as an easy target. By continuing to communicate, they think that you’re open to their demands.
“Inform the relevant networking site too, they might be able to help you, and call police on 101.”