Police have repeated calls for young people and parents to be vigilant after an increase in Sextortion reports.

The online crime involves scammers tricking people into sharing intimate photos or videos before threatening to share them unless they are sent money or more content.

In some cases, criminals pose as ‘young and attractive’ women online and then befriend men, usually in their teens or early 20s, on their social media platforms.

They will encourage them to send naked pictures or videos of themselves and then use that material against them, threatening to send it to family and friends unless they are paid.

Police have repeated calls for young people and parents to be vigilant after an increase in Sextortion reports

placeholder image — Police have repeated calls for young people and parents to be vigilant after an increase in Sextortion reports

Nottinghamshire Police received 175 reports between July and September, compared to 155 during the previous three months.

Cyber Protect Officer Kirsty Jackson said recent reports had involved the social media platforms such as TikTok and Telegram.

She said: "We have recently seen a significant increase in sextortion reports, with victims being targeted by criminals who pose as young people online before attempting to move conversations away from the platform where contact first began.

"These approaches can start on social media sites such as TikTok, as well as dating apps and other online platforms. While the methods may vary, a common tactic is for offenders to encourage victims to continue the conversation on Telegram. If someone you have only just met online asks you to move to Telegram, this should be treated as a warning sign and could indicate a scam.

"Once contact has been established, offenders will often ask for photographs, initially requesting images showing the victim's face before progressing to requests for intimate images.

"After obtaining these pictures, the offender will attempt to blackmail the victim, demanding money and threatening to share the images with friends, family members or other contacts if payment is not made."

Sextortion can also take the form of phishing emails.

Kirsty said: "If you receive an email of this nature, treat it as you would any other phishing attempt. Do not respond, report it, delete it and, if any passwords mentioned are still in use, change them immediately."