Online sexual extortion increasing in Finland – police urge parents to discuss with children
Police warn of increasing sexual extortion occurring online. Children are lured into sending pictures of themselves, after which perpetrators demand money or additional material through threats.
Online sexual extortion increasing in Finland – police urge parents to discuss with children
A phenomenon that has become increasingly common in Finland is sexual extortion on the internet, in which primarily minors are coerced. According to police, criminals lure young people into sending material of themselves, after which they demand payments or additional photographs and videos by threatening to distribute the content already obtained.
Perpetrators often pose as young people's friends. In the initial phase, a relationship of trust is built, and only later is sexual content introduced into the conversation. Requests are sometimes disguised as challenges. When the child sends material, the extortion begins.
Information gathered from the victim's close circle or from social media can be used for coercion. Victims often do not dare to report what has happened due to shame and guilt.
Source: Police
Source: Google News FI — Crime (fi)