Warning after growing number of 'sextortion' cases in Gloucestershire
Children are being lured into sending sexually explicit images online and then blackmailed.
Last updated 15th Sep 2022
Police in Gloucestershire have issued a warning about children being lured into sending sexually explicit images online and then blackmailed - known as 'sextortion'.
Since May there have been at least 17 incidents reported, with Instagram and Snapchat being the main platforms.
Police say children as young as 10 in the county have been approached online.
An unknown individual will send the child a friend request on a social media or messaging platform, and build a rapport with the young person - often making them believe they are of a similar age to them.
The conversation will then become sexualised, and the offenders will request sexual images or videos or video call them. Once these have been sent, they will then blackmail the victim by threatening to release the images or video to their family, friends or on other online platforms such as YouTube, if they do not pay them in money or gift cards.
Police say the most common age of children being targeted is around 16-years-old. In some cases victims have lost money.
Officers are now issuing a warning to parents and carers, and asking them to have conversations with children about online safety and the risk criminals pose online.