This article was written by Kayelene Kerr from eSafeKids.
In an era where digital communication is omnipresent in the lives of children and young people, ‘sextortion’ has emerged as an issue increasingly impacting them worldwide. In the past, this offence type was predominately for sexual gratification but a new variation has seen a surge in cases for financial gain.
Alarmingly, a recent report revealed that financial sextortion is the most rapidly growing crime targeting children in the US, Canada and Australia.
In 2023 the Australian Federal Police through the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) received an average of 300 reports of sextortion per month! ACCCE estimates only 1 in 10 cases are being reported. Current data reveals 90% of victims are male, predominately 15 - 17 years of age, however the ACCCE has seen children as young as 7 years of age be victimised.
This blog aims to shed light on sextortion, what it is, why it’s becoming increasingly prominent, its implications and how to safeguard children and young people from this insidious form of exploitation.
What is Sextortion?
The term 'sextortion' combines 'sex' and 'extortion', highlighting both the sexual nature of the exploitation and the extortion tactics used by perpetrators. Unlike other forms of extortion, sextortion specifically involves intimate content, such as photos and videos of private body parts and private activities such as masturbation. This form of blackmail involves the threat of releasing intimate images or videos unless certain demands are met.
Where Does Sextortion Happen?
According to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) social media platforms are where most sextortion schemes occur. However sextortion can occur on any app or online service that allows for social networking, image or video sharing and messaging. It's reported the top platforms for sextortion are currently Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok and Wizz.
Is Sextortion Illegal?
In Australia and many other countries sextortion is illegal. The criminal offence occurs when a child or young person is asked to take a photo or video of their private body parts and to send these intimate images to someone they've met and are communicating with online.
Because sextortion is illegal many victimised children and young people fear they'll be criminalised, making them reluctant to seek help and support from trusted adults. It is essential for children and young people to know that Police in Australia want these incidents reported and the victims will not be criminalised. The Australian Federal Police wants victims to know they are on their side.
How Does Sextortion Happen?
Cybercriminals create fake, but convincing social media accounts to approach their victims. The fake profile, often a catfish account, is usually of a female. Sextortion criminals target high schools, sports clubs, youth groups and universities, actively friend/follow as many people in the target location as possible. This approach leads many children and young people to believe the fake account is someone from their community, resulting in them accepting the friend/follow request.
Once the request is accepted, the victim’s friends/followers/following list is compromised. The criminal screenshots this list to later use as leverage to blackmail and threaten the victim. After obtaining intimate images or videos, they threaten to share them with the victim’s friends, followers, mfamily,school, club, community group or colleagues.
Platforms that enable video calls and the sharing of photos and videos often see the chat turn sexual. Victims may receive a nude image and be asked to send one back. Alternatively, these criminals may convince the victim to participate in a sexualised video call, during which they record the activity without the victim realising it.
Once the criminal has the intimate photos or videos, they will demand money, gift cards, online game currency, cryptocurrency or online bank transfers If the victim doesn't comply, they are threatened with exposure of their intimate images or videos.
Sextortion can also be initiated by criminals sending or posting a clickbait link, nurturing fake friendships, claiming an account has been hacked and the victim recorded in a comprising situation (eg masturbating). They may also offer free products, modelling opportunities, free gifts and money in exchange for intimate images.
The Psychological Impact of Sexortion
The psychological toll of sextortion can be profound. Victims often experience feelings of shame, anxiety and fear. The threat of exposing intimate images or videos can lead to severe emotional distress, affecting victims' health, wellbeing and personal safety.
The ruthless tactics employed by offenders can have long lasting, profound and life ending effects. The immense distress suffered by some victims has tragically resulted in 21 youth suicides.
A Child-Friendly Definition for Sextortion
Young people
Sextortion is a form of online blackmail where someone tricks a child/young person into sending sexual images, then threatens to share those images unless their demands are met.
Children
Unsafe / Tricky People
Unsafe or tricky people are those who trick, persuade or threaten children to share words, photos or videos, then says they’ll share those words, photos or videos unless the child does what they are told.
How Can Children and Young People Protect Themsevles from Sextortion?
Educating ourselves and our children and young poeple about the risks of online scams and promoting safe online practices can help prevent victimisation. Awareness campaigns focus on recognising common scams and avoiding suspicious interactions.
Here are some general tips to share with children and young people:
Be Cautious with Personal Information
Avoid sharing intimate photos or videos with individuals online, especially if you haven’t met them in person. Be mindful of what personal information you share on social media and online platforms.
Verify Identities
Before engaging in personal or intimate conversations online, verify the identity of the person you're communicating with. Scammers often use fake profiles to deceive victims.
Use Privacy Settings
Ensure your social media accounts are set to private and regularly review who has access to your information. Be cautious about accepting friend requests or messages from unknown individuals.
Educate Yourself and Others
Understanding the risks of sextortion and educating those around you can help prevent incidents. Awareness is key to recognising and avoiding potential threats.
Report Suspicious Activity
If you suspect you are being targeted or threatened, report the situation to the relevant platform and local authorities immediately. Many social media sites have mechanisms to report harassment or exploitation.
Seek Support
If you are a victim of sextortion, seek help from trusted adults, mental health professionals, support groups or organisations that specialise in online abuse. Support is available to help children, young people and their families navigate the emotional and practical aspects of dealing with sextortion. A range of support services is included at the end of this blog.
AI and Sextortion
The escalation of generative AI has also impacted sextortion cases. Tools for creating deepfakes and synthetic media have become more accessible, making it easier for criminals to exploit these technologies. For example the image below shows how criminals are effectively using generative AI tools to manipulate photographs to falsely show “proof of life”, resulting in a convincing catfish.
Source: A DIGITAL PANDEMIC: UNCOVERING THE ROLE OF ‘YAHOO BOYS’ IN THE SURGE OF SOCIAL MEDIA-ENABLED FINANCIAL SEXTORTION TARGETING MINORS
You Sent an Intimate Image, Now What?
Offenders are manipulative and can make children and young people feel there is no way out of the situation. We must let them know if they make a mistake it's important they speak with a trusted adult as soon as they can.
Proactive prevention education and conversation should include telling children if they or a friend ever finds themselves in this type of situation it's important to do the following:
Stop communication
Collect evidence (screenshots of the profile, chat, URL's)
Block the account
Report to the platform
Report to ACCCE
Get support
Don't:
Send more images
Respond to demands
Send money
Share parent/s credit card details or other financial information
Enter into further communication
Think you're alone
Red Flags to look out for:
🚩 Unsolicited friend or follow requests or random adds from people you don’t know.
🚩 Sudden sexualised questions or conversation.
🚩 Instantly receiving sexual images from a profile who asks for the same from you.
🚩 Getting a direct message on one app, then being asked to continue chatting on a different app.
🚩 Signs that English may be a second language.
🚩 The fake profile might say that their webcam or microphone are not working for video calls/chats.
🚩 The fake profile says that they promise to delete your content.
You're not alone
While the justice system continues to evolve in response to these crimes, the continued vigilance of law enforcement and the public remains crucial in combating sextortion and protecting victims. By understanding the tactics used by perpetrators and taking proactive steps to protect yourself, and your children and young people you can reduce the risk of falling victim to this disturbing crime. Remember, if you or someone you know is experiencing sextortion, help and support are available. Stay informed, stay vigilant and don’t hesitate to seek assistance if needed.
Reporting Sextortion
If a victim is under 18 years of age, report it to the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE).
If a victim is over 18 years of age, report it to the platform or service where the blackmailer contacted you. If an intimate image or video is shared, or if the platform doesn’t help, you can report it to eSafety.
The ACCCE has shared this is what children and young people can expect after making a report:
A report to the ACCCE will be looked at by specialist investigators in the Australian Federal Police.
After a report has been assessed, the police will be in contact via email or phone to talk about what has happened and to make sure that you are safe.
Police want to protect children from online child sexual abuse, so it’s important to know that you won’t be criticised, blamed or arrested for being a victim.
It is normal to want to hide what has happened and not talk about it with your parents, carers or police. Offenders use this fear to continue to commit crimes against you and other victims. The best protection you have is to get specialist support as soon as possible.
Support Services
You'll find a wide range of support services here.
Who is committing Sexortion
Almost all this sextortion activity comes from Nigeria-based cybercriminals known as the ‘Yahoo Boys’. They are now widely sharing sextortion scripts and instructional videos on mainstream social media, encouraging others to participate in this crime. Using fake accounts and advanced social engineering tactics, they coerce their victims into compromising situations and then blackmail them for financial gain.
The term "Yahoo Boys" is derived from the early days of internet fraud in Nigeria, when scammers often used Yahoo email addresses to carry out their fraudulent activities. Over time, the scope of their operations expanded, but the term persisted. Yahoo Boys target victims globally and in addition to sextortion typically engage in various forms of cybercrime, including phishing, online fraud and romance scams. Some typical scams include:
Romance Scams
Yahoo Boys create fake profiles on dating sites or social media platforms to develop relationships with victims. Once trust is established, they fabricate stories of financial hardship or emergencies, convincing victims to send money.
Phishing Scams
They send fraudulent emails or messages, often disguised as legitimate communications from banks, government agencies or online services, to steal personal information and financial details.
Business Email Compromise
Yahoo Boys impersonate executives or employees of legitimate businesses to trick companies into transferring funds or sharing sensitive information.
Advance-Fee Fraud
They promise large financial rewards or inheritances in exchange for upfront payments of fees or taxes. Victims are lured by the prospect of lucrative returns, only to find themselves duped.
Online Auction Fraud
Scammers create fake auction listings or sales on e-commerce platforms to trick buyers into paying for items that don’t exist.
Victims of these scams can suffer significant financial hardship, emotional distress and loss of personal information.
Several factors contribute to the prevalence of Yahoo Boys.
Economic Hardship
High unemployment rates and economic challenges in Nigeria drive some individuals to seek financial gains through illicit means. Cybercrime offers the allure of quick and substantial profits.
Social Influence
The success stories of high-profile scammers who flaunt their wealth on social media can inspire others to follow in their footsteps. The visibility of their extravagant lifestyles can create a misleading sense of opportunity.
Weak Legal Frameworks
While Nigeria has made strides in improving its cybercrime laws, inadequate law enforcement and legal challenges persist.
Technological Proficiency
Increasing digital literacy and access to technology in Nigeria have enabled scammers to refine their techniques and reach a wider global audience.
Child-Friendly Resources to Support Education and Conversation
Learn more here.
A Final Thought
The sextortion phenomenon highlights the complexities of modern cybercrime and its impact on individuals and societies. While the rise of these scammers poses significant challenges, efforts to combat their activities are making strides. By increasing awareness, strengthening legal frameworks and fostering international collaboration, we can work towards mitigating the risks associated with cybercrime and creating a safer digital environment for everyone.
Remember, if you or someone you know is experiencing sextortion, help and support are available. Stay informed, stay vigilant, and don’t hesitate to seek assistance if needed.
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About The Author
Kayelene Kerr is recognised as one of Western Australia’s most experienced specialist providers of Protective Behaviours, Body Safety, Cyber Safety, Digital Wellness and Pornography education workshops. Kayelene is passionate about the prevention of child abuse and sexual exploitation, drawing on over 27 years’ experience of study and law enforcement, investigating sexual crimes, including technology facilitated crimes. Kayelene delivers engaging and sought after prevention education workshops to educate, equip and empower children and young people, and to help support parents, carers, educators and other professionals. Kayelene believes protecting children from harm is a shared responsibility and everyone can play a role in the care, safety and protection of children. Kayelene aims to inspire the trusted adults in children’s lives to tackle sometimes challenging topics.
About eSafeKids
eSafeKids strives to reduce and prevent harm through proactive prevention education, supporting and inspiring parents, carers, educators and other professionals to talk with children, young people and vulnerable adults about protective behaviours, body safety, cyber safety, digital wellness and pornography. eSafeKids is based in Perth, Western Australia.
eSafeKids provides books and resources to teach children about social and emotional intelligence, resilience, empathy, gender equality, consent, body safety, protective behaviours, cyber safety, digital wellness, media literacy, puberty and pornography.
eSafeKids books can support educators teaching protective behaviours and child abuse prevention education that aligns with the Western Australian Curriculum, Australian Curriculum, Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and National Quality Framework: National Quality Standards (NQS).
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