Topics: Sex and Relationships, Crime, US News, Phones, Social Media
An expert has issued a warning to all dating app users after a woman says she was blackmailed after sending nude photographs to a man she’d been ‘flirty’ with on a platform.
Amina, 24, told Metro that she’d been speaking to a man on a dating app, and that when he asked her to send him some ‘intimate pictures’ she complied.
“I was quite reluctant at first, but we’d been sending each other quite graphic messages for weeks and I just thought, why not,” she claimed.
The woman alleged that, although she was careful to keep her face out of the images, she soon complied with his request for a video, which made her likeness plain, adding, “I feel so ashamed, but I did, and it’s obvious that it’s me.”
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Despite having no intention of meeting him in person, she claimed that he possessed considerable personal information about her, including her full name and workplace.
The morning after sending the video, Amina was bombarded with messages from the man, where he threatened to leak the content she’d sent him if she didn’t send him £2,000 ($2,696).
In response, Metro Consumer Champion Sarah Davidson advised the distressed woman to speak to the police.
This type of online blackmail, known as ‘sextortion’, is a criminal offence contrary to Section 21 of the Theft Act 1968, carrying a maximum sentence of 14 years' imprisonment in the UK.
The act is a federal misdemeanour charge in the United States, meaning that the maximum possible penalty upon conviction is up to one year in a federal prison, as per Keg Lawyers.
After advising Amina to report the man on the dating app, as well as any social media platforms where she sees her images, the expert issued a dire warning to others who might have fallen into a similar situation.
“Do not, under any circumstances, send him any more messages. Even if he continues to send you threats,” she said. “The police advise that you don’t delete your account as it will have vital evidence that could help them track him down (but you might find it helpful to deactivate it so you’re not receiving constant messages from him).
“There’s no requirement for you to provide evidence, but the police will find it helpful if you’ve got copies of any messages between you.”
Davidson also explained that Amina, or anyone else who is being blackmailed for money, should not give the thief anything.
This is because even if you send them small amounts, they could make further demands of you, as she continued: “If he’s sent you bank details, hand them over to the police. You may find they also ask for timelines – when messages were sent, and any screenshots, photos or videos.”
The FBI also has some information on what to do if you are a potential victim of financial Sextortion. The agency recommends you reach out to the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or report the crime online at tips.fbi.gov.
“Our agents see these cases a lot and have helped thousands of young people. Our goals are to stop the harassment, arrest the person behind the crime, and help you get the support you need,” it said.
“If you’re not feeling ready to speak to the FBI, go to another trusted adult. Say you are being victimized online and need help.
“Talking about this can feel impossible, but there are people who can help. You are not the one in trouble.”
There are also a handful of ways that you can protect yourself from this form of blackmail in the future, including being selective about what you share online and being aware that anyone can pose as someone they’re not.
“Videos and photos are not proof that people are who they claim to be. Images can be altered or stolen. In some cases, predators have even taken over the social media accounts of their victims.”
