Reports of 'sextortion' cases rise across Dumfries & Galloway
Police are urging people to be careful online
Last updated 10th Nov 2023
A rise in ‘Sextortion’ cases reported across Dumfries & Galloway have been noted by local Police.
Sextortion is an online crime, where threats of sharing explicit images or videos are made as a form of blackmail, usually involving demands for money from victims.
Criminals sometimes obtain the compromising content by luring people into sending photos and videos however existing images can also be stolen through hacking.
The offence is often committed by crime gangs based overseas.
Advice for victims
Police say victims will never be judged, and that all cases should be reported.
They’re also urging people not to send any money, as this does not guarantee the images won’t be shared.
Police Constable Alistair Hope is based at Dumfries Community Policing Unit.
He says people need to be aware of the dangers:
“Sextortion is an online crime that is often committed by crime groups based oversees.
"These individuals, they try to extort money from their victims by befriending them on social media, and once they’ve gained their trust they’ll convince the victim to share intimate images.
“Once the victim has sent these images, they will receive a demand for money, often with the threat that if they don’t, their images will be shared online with their friends and family.
“The victims targeted in this crime are often, but not exclusively, young males. Those males are typically ages between 18 and 44.
“We have seen a number of victims of this crime in Dumfries & Galloway over a number of years, however recently unfortunately, we’ve seen a sharp number of people reporting to ourselves that they’ve been a victim of this type of crime.”
Awareness is key
Police are advising people not to accept requests from accounts they don’t know, even if there are mutual connections.
PC Hope says: “If you do start chatting with these individuals, and you do start receiving requests for intimate images or videos, never send them.
“If you are the victim of sexual extortion, never send any money. Stop all correspondence with them, and save any messages you might have.
"Report the matter to Police Scotland on 101.”
It’s understood Police Scotland take these cases very seriously, and will not make any judgments, assuring victims that matters will be dealt with in absolute confidence.