Sexuality in connection with digital devices harbors risks. One of the biggest risks is that content created knowingly or unknowingly, such as photos or videos, can be used against a person at any time, e.g. to blackmail them. This phenomenon is called sextortion.

The police currently distinguish between two types of sextortion:

• after contact via social media or various forums and
• after data leaks.

When flirting on social networks becomes a trap

In these cases, the perpetrators first approach their victims via social media. They make it clear that they are sexually interested in them. They then ask their victims to perform sexual acts on them in a video chat. The perpetrators often record the victim's actions and threaten to publish the video during the chat.

Extortion with stolen data

The perpetrators send emails in which they claim to be in possession of compromising footage.

They write to the victims by name and claim that their computer, smartphone or similar has been "hacked". The perpetrators back this up by telling the victim their own password or part of their cell phone number. In some cases, the fraudsters include an apparent link in the emails to convince their victims of the existence of such videos, e.g. post [at] xxxxxx.de_1557074047.mp4 (119.1 MB). In reality, these links come to nothing. Often the perpetrators do not even have any compromising material. They have merely bought up personal data and passwords on the so-called "darknet", which originate from hacking attacks against large providers or online suppliers.

In both cases, the victim can allegedly only avoid publication of the videos if they pay a sum of money in cryptocurrency, usually bitcoins, to a specific wallet (digital wallet) or transfer it in some other way.

The police recommend

• Always be aware that you could be filmed during a video chat. The content may be used to blackmail you.
• Don't pay under any circumstances.
• Never click on a link in these or other suspicious emails, as they may contain malware.
• If you are affected, report it to the police.

Safe on the Internet? It's easy.

Protect your personal profile and your data with strong passwords! An open or not well-secured account is comparable to a wallet lying around or an open window. Careless behavior makes it easy for criminals to commit crimes! Tips on passwords and protection can be found at www.mach-dein-passwort-stark.de

You can read here on how to protect yourself and what you can do as a victim.