Aussie boys target of online extortion bids

CHILD extortion incidents involving Australian boys quadrupled over the past year, leading authorities to issue an alarming warning for parents and carers.

Online predators, who are often overseas, have been grooming, tricking and coercing kids into providing sexually explicit photos and videos, and young boys are being increasingly targeted, according to the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE).

Money is then demanded from the victim under the threat that the photos and videos will be shared.

It has led to the ACCCE taking the “unusual step” of releasing police intelligence to warn parents and carers about the emerging risk.

ACCCE commander Hilda Sirec said while blackmailing minors for sexually explicit images and videos was not new, it was previously “very rare” that police received reports about offenders demanding money.

“Tactics can vary, but childsex offenders commonly pose as girls and befriend boys via social media platforms, imagesharing apps or online games,” Ms Sirec said.

“These predators reveal they had footage of the child in compromising positions and demand money in return for not sharing the vision with family and friends or posting it online.”

Ms Sirec said online predators often negotiated with the victim before demanding more payments.

“We have seen predators initially demanding an impossibly large sum of money, then negotiating with the victim on a lower amount they could actually pay,” she said. “Once that money was paid – either by bank transfer, online game, gift cards or even cryptocurrency – the predator would demand even more money.

“They are not deterred by the age of the victim, they care only about the profit they can make.”

Families have been told to watch out for warning signs, which include inconsistencies with an online profile or language, being asked to continue a conversation on a different platform after meeting, and a person claiming they cannot do a video or phone call because their camera or microphone is not working.

Any victims are urged to make an immediate report to police and collect any evidence, such as screenshots.

They should also speak to someone they trust for advice and support, change their passwords and review online privacy and security settings.

Ms Sirec said the crimes had “devastating effects” on children and their families.