A 13-year-old boy is among the rising number of males being blackmailed in sextortion scams, according to new analysis from Nationwide Building Society. The building society's review of 50 cases found that nearly half of those targeted were in their twenties, with a striking 98 per cent being male. The age range of victims spanned from a 13-year-old to a 70-year-old, highlighting the broad vulnerability to these predatory schemes.
What is sextortion?
Sextortion involves criminals blackmailing individuals by threatening to share private sexual pictures, videos, or sensitive information unless they receive a reward, typically money. Perpetrators often initiate contact by befriending victims through social media platforms, frequently using fake identities. They may engage in sexually explicit conversations, pressuring individuals to provide intimate images. Scammers often escalate threats by claiming to have access to the victim's contacts, intensifying the fear of public exposure to coerce compliance.
Real cases highlight the threat
In one case seen by Nationwide, someone exchanged images and video-called someone they had met online. He then received a threatening call demanding money. In another case, someone shared private images and the scammer threatened to release photos unless he bought Apple gift cards. The victim told his father, who reported it to the police.
Survey reveals growing difficulty spotting scams
A survey commissioned by Nationwide found that more than half (54 per cent) of high school, secondary school, or university students surveyed feel it has become harder to spot scams in general. The research was carried out by Censuswide among 2,000 people aged 16-plus in February.
Expert advice on staying safe
Jim Winters, head of economic crime at Nationwide, said: “These cases illustrate how scammers exploit vulnerability, urgency and shame, especially among younger people who may have limited experience with fraud or feel too embarrassed to ask for help early. Our insight and research shows how easily private and sensitive information can be used against us. The safest way to protect yourself is not to share anything that you wouldn’t want in the wrong hands. Maybe easier said than done but the damage caused here is far beyond financial.”
How to stay safe from sextortion scams
Here are some suggestions from Nationwide for staying safe from scams:
- Stop and pause before sharing images or personal details. Once it is shared there is no going back. Being rushed is a common tactic used by scammers. They will put people under a time pressure to stop victims from thinking about what they are about to do.
- Avoid moving to another platform at someone else’s request. Fraudsters deliberately shift conversations very quickly to less secure channels.
- Scammers thrive on panic and urgency and making payments may lead to more demands.
- Talk to someone you trust and report it. Feelings of embarrassment are what scammers rely on. Confiding in the police, a friend, family member or bank allows for faster action and protection.
