Sextortion: The sinister side of online romance

When Diego (not his real name), 17, met a girl on Tinder, he thought he made a genuine connection. They eventually exchanged numbers, Instagram, and Facebook accounts. She was beautiful and fun to chat with, even sending him several pictures in various alluring poses. So, one afternoon, when she asked him to reciprocate with nude photographs as well as photos of him doing intimate acts, he readily obliged.

As soon as he sent it, she asked if they could talk so they could do something “fun.” However, when Diego accepted the call, he discovered that Maria was not a teenage girl at all. A man ordered him to send P5,000 or his private photos would be shared with the public. Diego immediately blocked the number, but the scammer just used another number to reach out, taunting him further with a screenshot of his online friends and followers. Panicked and afraid, Diego transferred the requested sum, deactivated his social media accounts, and got a new number. Although the perpetrator has not reached out to him again, Diego shared on a Reddit thread that he is still scared that his nude pictures will eventually be shared online.

Sextortion is a form of blackmail wherein someone threatens to share a person’s intimate images unless they provide money or perform other requests. Perpetrators establish trust with their victims by posing as peers and/or romantic interests. After obtaining explicit images, they threaten to expose the victim’s content to their family and online followers. Fear and shame often trap victims into complying, leading to further despair. Apart from monetary demands, female victims are often coerced into performing sexual favors or sending additional compromising content. Earlier this year, the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) arrested a 35-year-old man for threatening a 16-year-old girl that he would leak her intimate photos unless she met with him in a condotel.

There are also cases when victims are manipulated into agreeing to be “money mules,” with scammers using the victim’s bank account or digital wallet to receive funds obtained from new victims. Exploiting them as a financial conduit not only strengthens the scammer’s cover but also places the victim at further personal and legal risk, making them feel even more trapped and powerless to resist.

The psychological effects on victims can be quite devastating. Many experience severe emotional distress, falling into depression, becoming socially withdrawn, or living in constant anxiety their photos will be leaked any day. Tragically, there have also been many instances where victims ended up committing suicide.

While the “ber” months have always been associated with merrymaking, many individuals also experience feelings of loneliness, especially if they are single or have just recently lost a loved one. Experts warn that sextortions and other love-themed scams tend to increase during the holiday season because the heightened emotional vulnerability can make people more susceptible to scammers who present themselves as caring and attentive partners.

In 2023, the PNP reported 121 local cases of sextortion, representing a 10-percent increase from 2022. These perpetrators, however, also target victims based in other countries like the United Kingdom, the United States, and Singapore. In 2014, Interpol worked with the PNP for Operation Strikeback, leading to the arrest of 58 individuals, including those connected to blackmailing a 17-year-old Scottish teenager who ended up taking his own life. It also led to the identification of nearly 200 other individuals working for Philippine-based organized crime groups involved in sextortion schemes, revealing the vast and coordinated reach of these networks.

Many children’s organizations have called this a “growing crisis,” urging parents and schools to be more vigilant about protecting young people from this threat. For parents, a critical first step is letting your children know that they won’t get into more trouble if they open up to you about being in this situation and that their safety is your priority. Digital literacy programs in schools must include reminders on the risks of sending compromising photos and guidance offices should be equipped with resources, including hotlines and websites for reporting threats and seeking help. One helpful material is For Your Eyes Only, a free online module developed by Stairway Foundation for Filipino teens.

Right now, anonymous message forums like Reddit have become a support group for victims worldwide, with the anonymity allowing them to vent their frustrations and seek advice. One user shared how hopeful and comforted he felt knowing that other victims eventually surpassed this trial. Scammers bank on isolating and shaming young people to easily manipulate them. By ensuring they have safe spaces to run to, we can significantly help victims reclaim their lives from this nightmare.

Victims of sextortion may report the case to the PNP ACG via: 09985988116 / +63 (02) 414-1560 / [email protected] or to the NBI–Cybercrime Division via: (632)523-8231 to 38 local 3454, 3455 or [email protected]

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