UK cops spot webcam 'sextortion' plots: How vics can hit stop

[Solarquest]

Don't panic, don't pay
The NCA has said that "at least four young men have taken their own lives" after being targeted by financially motivated webcam blackmailers, while UK police forces are sharing stats and tips in a campaign to combat the rising problem.

Police say they've recorded 864 cases of webcam blackmail cases so far in 2016, more than double the 385 reported in 2015.

Sextortion is a form of blackmail where criminals use bogus identities to befriend victims online before persuading them to perform sexual acts in front of their webcam or to exchange illicit photos. These webcam images are recorded by the criminals who then threaten to share them with the victims' friends and family unless they are paid. Escalating requests for further payment sometimes follow. At least four suicides in the UK have been linked to this form of blackmail.

The hundreds of cases reported in the UK is bad enough, but police chiefs reckon the crime is even more commonplace due to under-reporting because victims often feel ashamed to speak up.

Police and the National Crime Agency (NCA) have uncovered evidence that organised crime groups – largely based overseas in countries including the Philippines, Ivory Coast and Morocco – are behind a large proportion of sextortion attempts.

Victims in cases reported to the NCA by local police forces were aged between 14 and 82, with the highest proportion being men aged between 21 and 30. In response to the increase, the NCA and the National Police Chiefs' Council have launched a campaign designed to advise those who have been, or are likely to be, targeted.

The campaign includes a film aimed at the most vulnerable victims, helping them to recognise a potential criminal approach. Online advice, including the importance of reporting the crime to their local police, also features in the public awareness push.
In a statement, Roy Sinclair, from the NCA's Anti-Kidnap and Extortion Unit, said: "There is huge under-reporting of these kinds of offences, often because victims feel ashamed or embarrassed, but of course criminals are relying on that reaction in order to succeed.

"This is why we are launching this new campaign. We want victims and potential victims to know how they can protect themselves and to understand what to do if they are targeted."

 

[_CyberGhosT_]

Why do this ?
rent a hooker for Christ sake.
If they are dumb enough to do that crap in
front of a webcam I feel no pitty for them.

 

[Oxygen]

Why do this ?
rent a hooker for Christ sake.
If they are dumb enough to do that crap in
front of a webcam I feel no pitty for them.

Agree with you on this.

People should use common sense to know that it's never a good idea to do that on a webcam.

 

[bunchuu]

This is suicidal case for victim, they cannot speak freely about their misfortune and the bad guys still roams free.

 

[_CyberGhosT_]

Agree with you on this.

People should use common sense to know that it's never a good idea to do that on a webcam.

A good rule of thumb, "don't do on camera anything that you would not want your mother to see"
and you will have nothing to worry about

 

[Svoll]

@_CyberGhosT_ is sounding like my Dad I Joke, I Joke!!! But yeah, while I feel sorry for the victims who took their lives, I just feel they could have handled it differently. Its embarrassing for sure, but not worth taking your life for.

 

[Oxygen]

A good rule of thumb, "don't do on camera anything that you would not want your mother to see"
and you will have nothing to worry about

People will still do it anyways.. I'm not sure why they put trust into somebody that they don't even know.

You're right again.

 

[frogboy]

People are just so naive when they do this and expect no repercussions on their part. Just don't do it people.

 

[jamescv7]

Very unfortunate that crimes like this are so high, especially in the area where cybersecurity is minimal upon preventing such scenarios.

I have to admit, Philippines is one of the area which reported high crime incidents of 'sextortion'.

 

[DardiM]

Thanks for the share

A good rule of thumb, "don't do on camera anything that you would not want your mother to see"
and you will have nothing to worry about

Very good advice

People will still do it anyways.. I'm not sure why they put trust into somebody that they don't even know.

You're right again.

With internet, it seems that too many people think that unknown people with friendly behavior (at the beginning) are "friends".
The default behavior (for all interactions on internet) should be to not trust anybody ! (Even a cute penguin).

 

[Svoll]

What if I am a sucker for a cute penguin? @DardiM would have been able to swindle me for money, but I'm not taking off my clothes, Shyness can be useful

 

[DardiM]

What if I am a sucker for a cute penguin? @DardiM would have been able to swindle me for money, but I'm not taking off my clothes, Shyness can be useful

I would have asked you to wear a penguin costume for free

 

[Svoll]

Already am my friend, already am

Side Note and Sidetracking : halfway done with my conversion to Penguin and will be sporting it for life.

 

[Entreri]

This is why I put tape over my camera.

Although, if someone had nude pictures my beautiful and delicious body, they can certainly use it to jerk off. Enjoy!