The United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA) has issued a warning about a surge in “sextortion” cases targeting British teenage boys, primarily orchestrated by Nigerian criminal gangs. These perpetrators pose as young women on social media platforms such as Snapchat and Instagram to deceive boys as young as 14 into sharing explicit images. Once obtained, the criminals threaten to distribute these images to the victims’ family, friends, and schools unless a ransom, typically around £100, is paid.
The NCA reports that while the majority of child sexual exploitation victims are female, an alarming 90% of sextortion victims are males aged between 14 and 17. The agency has observed that most offenders are based in West African countries, including Nigeria and the Ivory Coast.
In response to this growing threat, the NCA has launched a campaign aimed at educating teenagers on the dangers of sextortion and providing guidance on how to report such incidents. The campaign specifically targets boys aged 15 to 17 on various social media platforms, emphasizing the importance of not complying with the blackmailers’ demands and seeking immediate support.
Marie Smith, a senior manager at the NCA’s Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command (CEOP), described the abuse as “extremely disturbing,” highlighting the severe psychological distress it causes victims. She emphasized the importance of victims understanding that they are not at fault and urged them to seek help without delay.
The NCA advises victims not to pay any money to the blackmailers, to cease all communication with them, and to report the incident to authorities. They also encourage parents and guardians to engage in open discussions with their children about online safety and the risks associated with sharing explicit content.
This development underscores the critical need for increased awareness and preventive measures to protect young individuals from online sexual exploitation.
