British Teenage Boys Targeted by Nigerian Crime Gangs in Sextortion Schemes

British teenage boys, primarily aged 14 to 17, face escalating threats from Nigerian crime gangs engaging in sextortion via social media platforms. Victims are coerced into sharing explicit images, followed by financial blackmail threats. The National Crime Agency underscores the importance of awareness, urging young individuals not to succumb to demands and to report such incidents. The NCA is collaborating internationally to combat these criminal activities.

The National Crime Agency (NCA) has issued a warning regarding British teenage boys, some as young as 14, who are being targeted by Nigerian crime gangs engaging in sextortion. These gangs impersonate young women on social media platforms like Snapchat and Instagram to deceive victims into sharing explicit images, subsequently blackmailing them for money. While traditionally, victims of child sexual exploitation are mainly female, a staggering 90% of those affected by sextortion are boys aged 14 to 17.

Once a boy sends an indecent image, he is threatened with exposure to his friends, family, and classmates unless he pays a ransom. Investigations have indicated that sextortion gangs operate from countries including Nigeria, the Ivory Coast, and the Philippines. Marie Smith, a senior official at the NCA’s child exploitation and online protection command (CEOP), characterized these operations as “extremely disturbing,” clarifying that most offenders originate from West Africa.

These criminals employ fake profiles to lure young boys into sharing their photographs by promising to send explicit images in return. Once the images are received, victims are pressured for immediate payment, facing threats within mere minutes of sharing. The NCA reports that individuals as old as 30 have unfortunately fallen for these scams, contributing to a tragic rise in suicides among victims fearing exposure.

The NCA has initiated an awareness campaign to support victims, urging them to remain calm and refrain from paying blackmailers. Ms. Smith emphasized the importance of not giving in to demands, stating, “Do not pay – stay calm. We can help. If you pay once, they will just demand more.” Collaborations with law enforcement in Nigeria are part of the NCA’s strategy to address this issue.

Alex Murray, the NCA’s director of threat leadership, highlighted the severe impact of sextortion on young lives, noting its potential to lead to devastating outcomes. The ongoing campaign aims to educate young boys about the risks of these crimes and empower them to report incidents without feeling guilty or ashamed. The initiative strives to take away the advantage from the criminals whose motivation is pure financial exploitation.

In 2024, the NCA’s CEOP safety centre processed 380 reports of sextortion. Will Gardner, the CEO of Childnet, expressed concern over the increasing instances of financial sextortion involving teenagers. He elaborated on how these situations typically unfold, beginning with a seemingly innocent online interaction that escalates into manipulation and exploitation. “It’s the financially motivated sexual extortion of young people organized by criminal gangs in different parts of the world,” he stated.

In conclusion, the rise of sextortion targeting British teenage boys by Nigerian crime gangs poses a significant threat. The NCA’s awareness campaign emphasizes that these young victims should not feel responsible or panic in response to blackmail. Education, support, and international cooperation are critical in addressing this urgent issue and protecting vulnerable individuals from such heinous acts of exploitation.

Original Source: www.lbc.co.uk