Victims of sextortion are facing a troubling reality, as many have found themselves paying between $100 and $5,000 to stop their intimate images from being shared online. This alarming trend was highlighted by Online Safety Commission Prosecutor Joshua Singh during a recent Digital Media Literacy Training event.
Singh pointed out that sextortion cases are not only prevalent but are also a significant and escalating issue. Perpetrators often threaten to release personal photos or videos unless they receive payment, illustrating the severity of this form of abuse. He emphasized the connection between sextortion and image-based abuse, which the Online Safety Commission has classified as one of the most serious types of online offenses under the Online Safety Act of 2018.
In his remarks, Singh expressed concern over the ongoing victimization, stating, “And this is a very sad state for our country, right, because no matter how much we create awareness for victims, they follow victims anyway. Why? Because perpetrators just don’t care.” This highlights the need for increased vigilance and support for those affected by these crimes.
Moreover, Singh noted that offenders are becoming more advanced in their methods, utilizing fake profiles, social media channels, and encrypted messaging apps to target individuals. He described how some victims are manipulated into sharing intimate content, only for their ex-partners to later misuse this information as a means of control or revenge.
The Online Safety Commission strongly urges the public to resist succumbing to extortionist demands and to report any sextortion incidents immediately. In light of these developments, raising awareness about the risks and providing support to potential victims is crucial in combatting this harmful trend and fostering a safer online environment.