Victims of sextortion are finding themselves under heavy financial pressure, with payments ranging from $100 to as much as $5,000 demanded to prevent the sharing of intimate images online. This alarming trend was highlighted by Online Safety Commission Prosecutor Joshua Singh during a recent Digital Media Literacy Training session.
Singh emphasized that sextortion continues to be a serious and escalating issue. Perpetrators often threaten to release private photos or videos unless they receive payment. He pointed out that these cases are closely related to image-based abuse, a significant concern identified under the Online Safety Act 2018, which the Commission classifies as one of the most severe forms of online crime.
Singh expressed concern over the negative implications for victims, stating, “This is a very sad state for our country, right, because no matter how much we create awareness for victims, they follow victims anyway. Why? Because perpetrators just don’t care.” The sophistication of these criminals is increasing, as they utilize fake profiles and social media platforms, alongside encrypted messaging applications, to target individuals.
Explaining the typical scenarios, Singh described how some abusers capitalize on intimate relationships by sharing private images before later threatening victims after a breakup. “They share intimate images, intimate videos, and then they break up. Then the boyfriend goes on, and he becomes a sour ex-boyfriend. He goes on Facebook and puts up these pictures of the complainant, and before even doing that, he is sending those pictures to the complainant and threatening her,” he noted.
The Online Safety Commission is encouraging everyone to resist pressure from extortionists and to report any instances of sextortion promptly. By fostering awareness and providing support, there is hope that individuals can be better protected against these unfortunate and damaging situations.
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