Sextortion crimes are on the rise across Dundee and Tayside police have warned.
Social media users in the region have been targeted by the evil online scammers in recent weeks.
Officers said students and young people are particularly susceptible to falling victim.
The crimes usually involve the victim being enticed to send nude or explicit photos or videos to someone who has befriended them online.
They are then blackmailed into sending money - or in some incidents, gift cards - to prevent them being distributed to people they know.
A Tayside Police Division spokesman told Dundee Live: “In the past couple of weeks we have seen another rise in the number of these incidents being reported to us, with students being a popular target.
“Young people living away from home can be particularly vulnerable to this type of scam, and we have received reports of both male and female victims of this crime recently.
“We would reiterate our previous advice to be extremely cautious regarding online contacts and chat - don’t give out personal details, be extremely sceptical of anyone wishing to move outwith the environs of the platform in use, and do not give anyone the chance to exploit or blackmail you.”
And they added: “If you find yourself being blackmailed or extorted in this way, contact us on 101 or 999 in an emergency.
“You will be provided with support and your complaint will be taken in absolute confidence.”
Sextortion is a horrible crime that can drive victims to extreme measures.
In 2013 The Daily Record told the horrific story of tragic teen Daniel Perry who threw himself from the Forth Bridge after falling victim to online blackmailers.
The horrifying emails which led the 17-year-old from Dunfermline to take his life were later revealed.
Daniel believed he was talking to a girl his own age when he engaged in a conversation via Skype.
He was encouraged into a sexual encounter via webcam before the sick criminals threatened to make the video public unless he paid them.
Three men were arrested in the Philippines in connection with the case.
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