Sexual extortion

People are often targeted through dating apps, but they can also be targeted using emails. An example of this is when someone claims to have obtained intimate images of you and threatens to share them unless their demands are met. Depending on the situation, these demands could be for money, more intimate images or sexual favours.

What are the warning signs?

• Things don’t add up — the profile of someone you met online is not consistent with what you see and hear when you engage with them.
• Your contact makes excuses — they say their webcam is not working so they can’t chat on camera. Instead they send a nude photo which they claim is of them.
• They say they need help — your contact says they need money for a personal emergency like medical treatment, to cover rent or even to travel to Australia.
• You receive an email threatening to share an intimate image of you — this is a typical scenario that involves the sender claiming to have a video of you watching pornography.