Sextortion is a growing problem for unsuspecting teen boys as the UK’s National Crime Agency reveals that 74% of boys do not fully understand the online threat.

‘Sextortion’ involves people being financially blackmailed after an offender threatens to release nude or sexual photos of the victim.

The threat is more commonly associated with targeting women and girls, but people of all genders and ages can be under targets.

The NCA found through their research that about three in four (74%) didn’t see requests for nude images as a warning sign or attempt of ‘sextortion’, while about the same number (73%) were not aware of how to report these incidents.

Just over one in ten (12%) admitted that they may be at risk of ‘sextortion’.

All age groups and genders have been targeted by sextortion, which is often motivated more by money than sexual gratification, but the NCA is now aiming their awareness at boys aged 15 to 17.

The NCA’s CEOP Safety Centre received 380 reports of ‘sextortion’ in 2024 and in the first five months of 2024, police forces received an average of 117 reports of ‘sextortion’ from under 18’s each month. However, offenses related to child sexual abuse are generally underreported and the actual figure is likely to be higher.

In the year to June 2024, the US National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) received an average of 556 reports of sextortion per week, amounting to over 28,000 global cases per year – up from 26,718 the previous year.

“Sextortion is unimaginably cruel and can have devastating consequences for victims,” Alex Murray, NCA Director of Threat Leadership, said.

“This campaign will help empower young boys, giving them the knowledge to spot the dangers posed by this crime type and how to report it. It supports them to understand that if it does happen, it is never their fault.

“It will also take the advantage away from the criminals responsible, whose only motivation is financial gain.

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“Sadly, teenagers in the UK and around the world have taken their own lives because of ‘sextortion’, which has been a major factor behind launching this campaign.

“We are also issuing guidance to parents and carers about how to have conversations with young people to help them spot the dangers posed by perpetrators of ‘sextortion’.

“A lot of victims feel responsible for the situation they find themselves in. But we need them to know this is absolutely not the case; you are not to blame and help and support is available. As well as raising awareness, we want to encourage young people to report incidents to an adult they trust, the police or to the CEOP Safety Centre.”