The National Crime Agency (NCA) has initiated a critical campaign aimed at protecting teenage boys from the escalating threat of financial sexual extortion, commonly known as ‘sextortion’. This nationwide awareness drive kicked off Thursday 20 March and is being amplified through popular social media platforms such as Instagram, Reddit, and Snapchat.
‘Sextortion’ is a form of online blackmail where offenders threaten to share nude or semi-nude images of the victim unless a payment is made. These images could be real photos taken by the victim or fabricated by the perpetrator.
Research commissioned by the NCA prior to the launch indicates a significant gap in understanding among teens: 74% of surveyed boys did not fully grasp the concept of ‘sextortion’, and a similar number overlooked requests for nude images as potential sextortion attempts. Furthermore, 73% were unaware of how to report such incidents, and only 12% recognized their vulnerability to such threats.
Although ‘sextortion’ can be perpetrated by individuals globally, it is frequently orchestrated by organized crime groups from regions in West Africa and South East Asia, driven by quick financial gain rather than sexual motives.
The campaign specifically targets boys aged 15 to 17 and follows a staggering number of reports: the NCA’s CEOP Safety Centre noted 380 sextortion cases in 2024, with police receiving an average of 117 monthly reports from minors in the same year. The actual figures are likely much higher due to underreporting.
In 2024, the US National Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) received an average of 556 weekly reports of ‘sextortion’, totaling over 28,000 cases globally—a significant rise from the previous year.
Alex Murray, NCA Director of Threat Leadership, emphasizes the gravity of the issue: “Sextortion is unimaginably cruel and can have devastating consequences for victims. This campaign aims to empower young boys by equipping them with the knowledge to identify and report these crimes, ensuring they understand that victimization is never their fault and that help is available.”
The NCA also extends guidance to parents and guardians on engaging in constructive dialogues about ‘sextortion’, recognizing warning signs, and understanding reporting avenues to better support their children if they fall prey to these crimes.
This campaign is a part of a broader effort to dismantle the stigmas around ‘sextortion’ and to encourage those affected to seek help without shame or guilt.|
Source: National Crime Agency
