CID warns lovers against recording and sharing nudes as sextortion cases rise

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has urged members of the public, particularly young men and women, not to record intimate moments or share nude images with their partners amid a rise in sextortion cases.

CID spokesperson Detective Inspector Rachel Muteweri said victims whose intimate photographs or videos are leaked or shared on social media can face serious consequences.

She warned that some victims have experienced severe emotional distress after their private content was exposed online.

“After falling victim, the young children fail to share their worries with their parents, leading to depression, emotional pain and some committing suicide,” she said.

She said sextortion is a form of criminal blackmail in which someone threatens to share another person’s private sexual content unless the victim pays money or provides sexual favours.

“We have noted with concern more cases where some love partners have been losing quite a substantive amount of money to their former lovers,” said Det-Insp Muteweri.

“Some are committing suicide after their nude photographs and videos are leaked and posted on social media as a punishment for separation.”

Det-Insp Muteweri said some victims do not report sextortion because they fear further damage to their reputations.

She warned that sextortion is a criminal offence and those found guilty can face charges under the Data Protection Act.

Det-Insp Muteweri said sextortion was not limited to former partners, as scammers were also targeting many people, particularly young people who spend a significant amount of time online.

“A scammer tricks a victim into sending nude photos, records them on a live video stream, or hacks their electronic device,” she said.

“Sometimes, scammers use basic information from social media to trick people or even create fake images.”

She added that criminals often threaten to share the private content with the victim’s family, friends, school or employer unless their demands are met.

“They demand cash, gift cards, or more intimate pictures to keep the material secret,” said Det-Insp Muteweri.

“They trick or pressure the victim into sharing nude photos, or they secretly record a live-streamed video.”

Det-Insp Muteweri urged sextortion victims not to pay blackmailers, warning that doing so does not usually stop the threats and may instead lead to further demands.

She also advised victims not to respond to the messages or continue communicating with the perpetrators. Instead, they should preserve evidence by taking screenshots of the messages, profile names and conversation history before blocking the account.

“Tell a trusted adult, school counsellor or police right away,” she said.

More: H-Metro