Police warn of 'sextortion' scam: 52 victims blackmailed over compromising images
If you are a user of dating apps or social media platforms, and receive an invitation to participate in sexually explicit video calls or share intimate photographs — do not join in or the only "gratification" you could find yourself in is working harder to replenish that bank balance.Police said in a news release on Thursday night that they have received at least 52 reports of such cyber extortion cases, with losses amounting to at least $134,000.In these cases, victims were first approached through dating applications or social media platforms.They were then persuaded to continue the "conversations" on messaging applications where they would be deceived into participating in sexually explicit phone calls or sharing intimate photographs.During the session, scammers would secretly record the video calls or retain the exchanged photographs. They would then threaten to either release the intimate images or recordings online, or send them to the victims' family members, friends or social media contacts unless payment is made.But the extortions often continue, even after payments are made by victims, the police cautioned.