Nigerian Crime Gangs Target British Boys in Sextortion Scams

The National Crime Agency (NCA) has reported a troubling surge in online sexual extortion, or 'sextortion,' targeting British boys aged 14 to 17, primarily by Nigerian crime gangs posing as young women. These organized criminals manipulate victims into sending explicit images and subsequently blackmail them for payments of around £100, threatening to share the images if demands are not met. Alarmingly, 90% of sextortion victims are male, and some have even taken their own lives due to the severe emotional distress caused by these threats. In response, the NCA has launched an awareness campaign aimed at educating teenagers about the dangers of online exploitation and how to report incidents safely. The campaign will utilize social media platforms like Instagram and Snapchat to reach its audience, emphasizing that victims should not pay the blackmailers. Marie Smith from the NCA underscored the need for immediate action against these criminals, highlighting ongoing international cooperation to combat the issue.