Cops warn against sextortion
Following several recent reports from across the South Lanarkshire area, I have been asked to remind readers of a specific type of online fraud commonly termed “sextortion”.
Sextortion is defined as blackmail in which sexual information or images are used to extort sexual favours and/ or money from the victim after gaining their trust or offering an incentive.
The blackmailer will threaten to circulate footage recorded of the victim in a compromising position/ performing a sexual act. Many individuals are targeted through social media websites, dating apps, webcams or adult pornography sites.
Blackmailers often identify potential victims from social media and therefore already have access to victims’ contacts and friends.
When using social media please refrain from accepting friend or chat requests from people you do not know.
If someone you don’t know begins chatting and very quickly turns the subject to sex please remember – not everyone on the internet is who they say they are!
For further information please visit the Lanarkshire Police Division Facebook page or scotland.police.uk
On April 7, police received separate reports of a suspicious male seen prowling at addresses on Wellhall Road and Silvertonhill Avenue, and a further report of a door being forced on Brandon Street, Hamilton.
Police conducted enquiries and were able to identify a 20-year-old male as being responsible for all three incidents.
He was traced and arrested on April 12 and charged in connection with the three incidents and has since been remanded in custoday.
In the early hours of April 8, police were called to the area of Thistle Crescent, Larkhall, in response to a suspicious male lurking arund.
On arrival police observed a male who made off through gardens.
Police carried out a search of the area and quickly traced the male attempting to hide behind a garden shed.
A 34-year-old man was arrested and charged with two offences under Sec. 57
Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982.
The male has since been remanded in prison.
On April 9, police were called to the Crossbaskets area of High Blantyre following a report of a taxi driver being robbed by a male passenger who was in possession of a knife.
Police attended and following enquiries traced a 22-year-old male who was arrested.
A knife was recovered and following a police interview the male was charged with robbery and possession of a knife.
If you have any relevant information or matters you feel should be reported, you can do so by calling ‘101’, or via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.