Sextortion Cases Soar as Blackmailers Target Victims with Nude Pics
The rise in sextortion cases has led to a surge in blackmail incidents involving intimate images, leaving many victims in distress.
Sextortion, Blackmail, Nude Pics, Scotland, Victims, Scam Survivors
Scotland: The number of sextortion victims is skyrocketing, and it’s pretty alarming. Last year, nearly 38,000 people fell for these scams, which is a huge jump from just 16,000 during the pandemic.
It’s wild to think that this is more than ten times what it was a decade ago. Most of these scams are happening online, often from overseas, and police are struggling to keep up.
In fact, less than one percent of the offenders faced any real consequences. Out of almost 25,000 investigations, many didn’t even find a suspect. It’s heartbreaking to know that some people don’t report these incidents because they feel ashamed.
Tragically, some young folks have taken their own lives after being targeted. Just last year, a 16-year-old named Scot Murray Dowey lost his life after being tricked by someone pretending to be a friend.
Wayne Webb from Scam Survivors says these scams are becoming more common, especially with organized groups from places like Nigeria getting involved. He advises everyone to be cautious if someone reaches out unexpectedly.
And if you ever find yourself in a situation like this, remember there’s help available. Don’t hesitate to reach out to charities that can support you.