- New analysis from Nationwide Building Society indicates that men in their twenties are particularly vulnerable to sextortion scams.
- A review of 50 cases revealed that nearly half of the victims were in their twenties, with 98 per cent of all victims being male, spanning an age range from 13 to 70.
- 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 on social media with fake identities, pressuring them for intimate images, and then escalating threats by claiming access to the victim's contacts.
- Nationwide advises individuals to pause before sharing personal details, avoid moving to less secure platforms at a scammer's request, refrain from making payments and confide in a trusted person or the police.
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