INTERNET blackmailers are targeting more people through web-cam extortion.
Police in Lanarkshire are receiving weekly reports of the fraud according to new figures, and now they have issued a warning to web-users of the dangers from online sexual predators.
Police Scotland say this type of crime can take many forms with the common element being that someone obtains explicit images of another person, and then threatens to distribute them unless the victim pays a substantial sum of money, or supplies increasingly graphic images.
The figures show between April and July 2016, the Lanarkshire Division received 14 reports of incidents.
This is compared to 12 incidents between December 2015 and March 2016.
The victims were men and women aged between 16 and 56 years of age, and cops have revealed a similar method by the blackmailers in snaring their victims.
In some of the cases, there has been the acceptance of a Facebook friend request from a complete stranger. This is followed by communication over hours, days or even weeks to build a relationship and obtain private information on friends, family and colleagues of the victims.
The blackmailer and victim agree to enter into a video chat usually via Facebook or Skype.
Both parties engage in sexual activity, shared with each other via webcam, whilst one party records the other taking part, without the victim knowing.
A demand is then made for money or more explicit images in exchange for not sending the recording to the victim’s family, friends or work colleagues.
Inspector Andy Thomson, based at Mother well Police Office, said: “Always remember that you are in control of what you say and do online.
"Be suspicious of friend requests from strangers and make sure your private information stays private.
"You have the power to end the communication at any time, so never feel pressured into doing something that you may regret in the future.
"If you do become the unwitting victim of webcam extortion – do not pay and do not communication further.
"Take screen shots of the other person and any conversation and report it to the social media provider, deactivate (but don’t delete) your account, and then report it to the police. We will help you.”
Detective Chief Inspector Donna Duffy added: “We recognise that making the decision to report such a crime to the police, or anyone else such as your friends or family is difficult but incredibly brave.
"Be assured that we will take your report seriously, in complete confidence and will never make judgements about your behaviour.
"You are the victim and you are our primary concern. Our investigation will revolve around you and your wishes.
"We will support you and do everything in our power to remove the content from the internet and bring those responsible to justice.”
In 2013, police investigated claims that 17-year-old Daniel Perry killed himself because he was being blackmailed in a similar way.
The teenager from Dumferline died after failing from the Forth Road Bridge.
Police in Manila in the Philippines arrested 58 people in an operation against an online blackmail syndicate.
The information Police Scotland uncovered formed part of a major operation, and one of the group's victims was believed to be the apprentice mechanic.
Local Safer Communities officers work continually to highlight the dangers people can face online including webcam extortion.
They work with a range of partners including the National Crime Agency, CEOP, UK Safer Internet Safety and local councils to deliver a preventative, interactive and educational campaign that protects children and young people from the online dangers of child sexual exploitation, cyberbullying and radicalisation.
Since November, 2015, the team has delivered this program to over 20,000 children and young people, parents, guardians and professionals across Lanarkshire. The project has just been shortlisted for a national ‘People’s Choice’ Award.
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