Here's how many people are falling victim to webcam sex blackmail.. and what to do if you're a victim
Almost thirty people have told West Midlands Police they have been blackmailed over sexual videos in five years.
In six of the 29 cases, payment has been given by the victim.
But in all but one of the incidents, police were unable to take action against the suspect after they were not identified.
The one case saw a community resolution.
Examples of blackmail in the past financial year include a person being asked for payment to stop a sexual video being placed on social media.
WATCH: The National Crime Agency with the facts on sextortion
Threats are also made to other victims to send content to friends and family.
The figures have come from a Freedom of Information request to West Midlands Police.
The term webcam blackmail is often called sextortion.
Criminals might befriend victims online by using a fake identity and then persuade them to perform sexual acts in front of their webcam.
The victims are often males, with an attractive woman to entice the victim to participate.
These webcam videos are recorded by the criminals who then threaten to share the images with the victims’ friends and family.
This can make the victims feel extremely ashamed and embarrassed.
A National Crime Agency spokesman said: "The best way to stop yourself from becoming a victim is to be very careful about who you befriend with online, especially if you’re considering sharing anything intimate with them."
Here's what the National Crime Agency says victims of sextortion should do.
Happening now? Call the police on 999
If this has happened recently, call the police on 101
Do not pay any money
Stop communicating with the person immediately
Report to your internet service provider
Screengrab and write down as much information
as possible (see below for more info)
