Philenews

Rise in Sextortion Cases: Police Issue Warning and Advice

Published January 26, 2026, 13:20
Rise in Sextortion Cases: Police Issue Warning and Advice

The Police are recording an increase in reports of online sexual extortion (Sextortion) incidents. Perpetrators create fake accounts on social media, often posing as women, and approach unsuspecting victims, mainly men, with the aim of trapping them in video calls with sexual content. During these calls, the perpetrators record the conversations without the victims' knowledge. They then use the videos to blackmail the victims, demanding money to prevent their publication. Payments are usually made through money transfer companies to countries in Africa. The Police have received reports of victims, including minors. The Police advise the public to be particularly careful with people they meet online, not to share sensitive data with strangers, and not to make any payments in the event of blackmail. Additionally, it is recommended to report and block fake accounts on social media platforms. If someone falls victim to Sextortion, the Police recommend that they stop all communication with the perpetrator and temporarily deactivate their account on social media to avoid further threats.