People are being urged to be alert before sending any intimate photos over social media apps after an increase in reports of so-called sextortion incidents.
Sextortion is a form of blackmail where people are persuaded into sending intimate images of themselves by someone they have had contact with on social media messaging or dating apps.
This may be someone they think they have started a relationship with online but never met in person.
It then involves threatening to publish sexual information, photos or videos of the victim without their consent unless they agree to pay money.
Detective Sergeant Lisa Jones of West Yorkshire Police’s Economic Crime Unit said: “We’ve seen an increase in the number of people reporting incidents of sextortion to us.
“Criminals often target people through dating apps, on social media, or through messaging apps, webcams or pornography sites.
“They may use a fake identity to befriend people online and then be very persuasive in getting victims to send intimate images to them.
“But things take a sinister turn when they go on to threaten to send images to your family and friends if you don’t pay up.”
Sextortion can be committed by individuals but organised crime gangs are usually behind it.
The Force has issued some advice and officers are urging people to think twice before sending intimate images to people.
If you think you’ve been the victim of sextortion, contact West Yorkshire Police by calling 101, or go online at www.westyorkshire.police.uk/101livechat
