Sextortion (English: "sex" and "extortion" = blackmail) means blackmail based on material with sexual content (pictures, videos). Extortionists usually demand money or other favours and threaten to send the pictures to others or upload them to platforms/social networks if the demand is not met. When it comes to classifying incidents, sextortion can be classified as either sexting (sending and receiving nudes by means of digital media) or cyberbullying. It is a criminal offence that can be reported to the police and punished by law. The process is similar to that of "grooming," which consists of first gaining the trust of children in particular, then isolating them, thereby provoking secrecy and gradually initiating a progressive transgression of boundaries.
Whether it's students, professors, teachers, fathers, mothers - anyone can become a victim as well as a perpetrator.
People of all age categories can be affected by sextortion.
A study shows that sextortion is one of the major dangers for children and teenagers online. In a study conducted by Dr Justin W. Patchin, Ph.D. (Professor of Criminal Justice at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire), he surveyed 5,500 students between the ages of 12 and 17. The results showed that approximately 5% of them had been affected by sextortion. In recent years, this new form of blackmail has found its way across the Atlantic to the European continent. This is also reflected in our case numbers: we are seeing an upward trend in calls to the BEE SECURE Helpline on this subject.
It may involve material that the perpetrator has secretly recorded via webcam. Often, however, the perpetrator has a high level of social competence and creates a bond with the victim, generating trust, so that the images are ultimately sent deliberately. Sextortion often occurs after breakups, conflicts, and quarrels (especially emotional blackmail: "If you love me, send me the pictures"). Targeted blackmail is also possible, so that the victim is put under pressure. The perpetrators often pretend to know their victim's password and thus put them under pressure to act. In addition, these "scam mails" indicate that the computer's video camera has been activated and that recordings have been made. It is only under the pretext of a payment that it is indicated that the recordings should be deleted. Thus, no clear "perpetrator profile" can be established - whether due to personal grievance or contact with criminals, sextortion can occur.
The use of fake profiles or artificially created chat rooms with people supposedly of the same age is not atypical, as it aims to increase the propensity to send sexualised content.
Very young children in particular cannot really assess the danger - whether from the point of view of the perpetrator or the victim. Thus, it can also be a dysfunctional strategy to stay in contact or attract attention. It is important to communicate transparently that the sexualised content produced can also be used against you much later. Due to the difficult and important life phase of children and adolescents, they are a very susceptible risk group. There are groups of perpetrators who specifically seek out emotionally receptive children and teenagers, first satisfying their needs, so that they can then engage in sexting. For fear of being judged negatively or mocked, the victims often keep quiet about the facts and suffer in silence from the practice of sextortion.
Due to the size of Luxembourg, the fear of running into someone who knows you is particularly strong, so the inhibition threshold for asking for help is high.
You need to be particularly careful and think about the content that is sent. Stay calm when you receive a so-called "scam email." Take a deep breath. Report the scam to CIRCL (info@circl.lu) including the Bitcoin address (payment address provided). If you have become a victim of sextortion, do not send any more photos or videos, cut off contact with the perpetrator and end the communication. To be able to take action, it's worth gathering evidence such as text messages or screenshots. Be brave and detach yourself from the "trusted person" adopted in certain circumstances. It is important to communicate the facts. Do not be ashamed to talk about it. We only have data on cases that have been communicated openly. From this point of view, the number of unreported cases seems to be even higher. Talk to friends and/or family. If you feel too ashamed, don't hesitate to contact us anonymously on the BEE SECURE Helpline: 8002 1234. File a complaint and do not give in to blackmail. It may also be advisable to change your passwords so that the criminal cannot access your personal account. You should use a different password for each portal.
If you know someone who has been a victim of sextortion, show moral courage, get in touch, or report this form of extortion.
Don't look the other way, report sextortion to the BEE SECURE Helpline: 8002-1234
For more information, visit www.bee-secure.lu
Patchin, J. W., & Hinduja, S. (2020). Sextortion Among Adolescents: Results From a National Survey of U.S. Youth. Sexual Abuse, 32(1), 30–54.https://doi.org/10.1177/1079063218800469
