19/03/2026
There has been a rise of Financially Motivated Sexual Extortion in some parts of the country recently. This is a form of digital blackmail where criminals coerce individuals into sharing explicit images or videos and then demand money to keep them private.
The Scammer’s Playbook
1. The Hook: They reach out via social media or dating apps using a fake profile (often using photos of attractive strangers).
2. The Fast Track: They quickly move the conversation to a private platform like WhatsApp, Snapchat, or Telegram.
3. The Trap: They encourage a video call or the exchange of photos. They are often recording the entire interaction without the victim’s knowledge.
4. The Threat: Immediately after, they send a list of the victims friends/family contacts on social media and demand payment (usually via crypto or gift cards) to stop the leak of the intimate images or pictures.
How to Protect Yourself
• Verify Before You Trust: Never share intimate content with someone you haven't met in person and established a long-term trust with.
• Cover Your We**am: When not in use, physically cover your camera. Software can be hacked.
• Don't Pay: Paying the ransom almost never works. It marks you as a "payer," leading to higher demands.
• Preserve Evidence: Do not delete the chat. Take screenshots of the username, the threat, and the payment instructions.
• Report to Police: Report the matter to Police via 101 or via our Police website. Also report to the platform/app.
**Important Note: If this ever happens to you - you are the victim of a crime, not the one at fault. There is help available, and you don’t have to face it alone.
Learn more about how to recognise, avoid and report Financially Motivated Sexual Extortion here – www.westyorkshire.police.uk/advice/personal-safety-and-possessions/sextortion