Police in Tayside have issued a warning to locals over so-called 'sextortion' scams amid a recent spate of fraud affecting young men.
The scam sees fraudsters pose as young attractive women looking for love online in a bid to extract intimate photos and videos from victims. After gathering a collection of material - either through webcam chats or other means - the scammers then try to extort money from victims by threatening to send the material to friends and family.
Five men aged between 13 and 34 have been targeted in the last 10 days alone, prompting Tayside Division cops to issue a warning to locals who could be the next target of extortionists. Officers have urged people to be careful of who they speak to online, and to avoid sending personal pictures or money to people they don't know.
The force said on Friday: "Five people have been victims of attempted sextortion in Tayside in the last 10 days. They ranged in age from 13 to 34 but anyone could fall for the charm of scammers.
"The majority of scammers online take on the persona of young attractive women. Don’t be fooled by what they are offering.
"They can contact you through Facebook Messenger, Instagram, Skype, Google Hangouts, Snapchat, Tik Tok. Remember: don't accept friend requests if you don't know the person; never send personal photos or money to someone you don't know or have never met; be aware of unusual requests; be sensible when using the internet - what goes online, stays online.
"If you think you're a victim of sextortion, contact the police immediately. All reports will be taken seriously."
Sextortion victims can be driven to extreme measures after being confronted with blackmail. In 2013, Dunfermline teen Daniel Perry took his own life after scammers in the Philippines allegedly threatened to send video of him performing sex acts to his loved ones.
The 17-year-old had believed he was speaking to an American girl his own age when he was said to have been pressured by the heartless scammers. An international arrest warrant was issued for his alleged blackmailer, Archie Gian Tolin, who went into hiding and is yet to be brought to justice.
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