Sextortion: How to Avoid the Trap

The digital world has truly changed the way we live, love, and communicate. Dating sites and instant messaging apps have opened up new avenues for relationships, allowing us to keep intimacy alive even from a distance. But this new era of communication isn't without its risks. Among the dangers lurking online, sextortion is one of the most destructive.

We're going to break down how sextortion works and the devastating impact it can have on its victims. We'll also explore the legal consequences for those convicted of sextortion, and crucially, offer practical tips to help you steer clear of this nasty trap.

Sextortion is a particularly insidious form of blackmail that's ensnaring more and more internet users. The principle is simple: a scammer threatens to share intimate images or videos of their victim with friends, family, or online if they don't hand over a certain sum of money.

These compromising images are typically obtained in private, during message exchanges or cybersex. The scammer might pose as an attractive young woman, using a stolen profile picture from the internet. They'll contact their target on social media, persuading them to continue the conversation on a more private channel. Gradually, the conversation turns sexual, and the scammer convinces the victim to send intimate photos or videos.

Once they have these compromising images, the scammer reveals their true identity and threatens to share the photos or videos unless the victim pays up. To avoid humiliation and shame, victims often comply.

Sextorsion, or sexual extortion, isn't a joke or a minor offence – it's a serious crime punishable by law. In the UK, sextorsion is a criminal offence and is considered a form of revenge porn under section 33 of the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015. This act defines the offence as "disclosing private sexual photographs or films without the consent of an individual who appears in them and with intent to cause that individual distress." This crime carries a maximum sentence of 2 years in prison.

Additionally, the Theft Act 1968 prohibits perpetrators from making threatening and unwarranted demands to obtain something from their target. An example of this is demanding money or additional intimate images in exchange for not distributing an intimate image.

Sextorsion is a grave crime that can have devastating consequences for its victims. It's crucial to take this risk seriously and protect yourself effectively against this dangerous practice.

To avoid falling into the sextortion trap, it's important to recognise the warning signs. Here are some red flags to watch out for:

• They refuse to show their face: If the person you're talking to refuses to appear on video (their webcam is "broken", perhaps) or send photos of themselves in anything other than posed situations, it could be a sign that something's not right.
• They only have a few photos of themselves: If they only have a few photos, and they all seem to have been taken in similar circumstances, it could indicate they're using fake images. Don't hesitate to do a reverse image search on Google to check if these photos have been used elsewhere online.
• You notice inconsistencies: If they make mistakes about important details, like their age, location, or job, it could be a sign they're lying about their identity.
• The conversation turns racy almost right away: If they try to steer the conversation towards sexual topics right from the start, it could be a sign they're looking to obtain compromising images of you.
• Their profile has very few friends or followers: If their profile has very few friends or followers, it could be a sign it's a fake account created for sextortion purposes.
• Poor spelling and grammar: If they make numerous spelling and grammar mistakes, it could be a sign they're not who they claim to be.

Finally, trust your instincts. If something feels off, it probably is. Don't hesitate to cut off the conversation and report the profile to the relevant authorities (police, lawyer, etc.).

Fortunately, there are ways to protect yourself against sextortion. Here are some preventive measures you can take to reduce the risks:

• Never share private information online: Avoid giving out personal information, such as your address, phone number, or place of work, to people you don't know well.
• Stay on the platform where you met: If you've met someone on a dating site or social network, avoid leaving that platform to continue the conversation elsewhere. Dating sites and social networks have security measures in place to protect their users, and leaving these platforms can expose you to risks.
• Be aware that anything you share online can be distributed: Remember that anything you share online, whether it's photos, videos, or messages, can potentially be spread across the internet. So, think carefully before sharing compromising images or information.
• Keep your protections up to date: Ensure your computer and phone are equipped with up-to-date antivirus software and a firewall. This will help protect you against malware and intrusion attempts.

By following these tips, you can reduce the risk of falling victim to sextortion. Always remember that caution is key online, and you should be aware of the risks.

If you've unfortunately fallen victim to sextortion, it's important not to panic and not to give in to the blackmailer's demands. Here are some steps to follow to get out of this situation:

• Don't pay any ransom: If you pay the ransom, you'll only encourage the blackmailer to continue harassing you. Plus, there's no guarantee they'll keep their promise and not distribute the compromising images.
• Contact the police: Sextortion is a serious crime, and it's important to report the incident to the relevant authorities. They can help track down the blackmailer and bring them to justice.
• Talk to your loved ones: Don't hesitate to talk about it with your friends and family. They can provide moral support and help you face this difficult situation.
• Take measures to protect yourprivacy: Change your passwords and ensure your online accounts are secure. You can also request that the compromising images be removed from any sites where they've been published.

Remember, you're not alone in this situation, and you have nothing to be ashamed of. Sextortion is a crime, and it's important to take measures to protect yourself and get out of this situation.

Sextortion is a serious and dangerous crime that can have devastating consequences for its victims. It's crucial to take measures to protect yourself against this harmful practice by being aware of the risks and following the advice we've provided in this article. Remember, just as in real life, it's important to stay vigilant and cautious online. Prioritise in-person contacts, and don't hesitate to seek help if you feel at risk. Together, we can fight against sextortion and safeguard our online privacy.