Team of detectives arrest 24-year-old man on suspicion of Sextortion following early morning warrant

 

A team of detectives have arrested a 24-year-old man believed to be behind a Sextortion scam where a Nottingham victim had been targeted.

Nottinghamshire Police swooped in on an address in Hampshire after building an intelligence picture of the blackmailing scam.

Sextortion is where criminals pose as ‘young and attractive’ women online and then befriend men usually in their teens or early 20s on their social media platforms.

They will encourage them to send naked pictures or videos of themselves and then use that material against them, threatening to send it to family and friends unless they are paid.

On October 26, 2023, police received a distressed call from a man in his 20s who had struck up a conversation with a woman online.

The conversation had lasted some days before she suggested they have some fun. He was always under the impression she was a student.

The woman sent some naked images of herself and asked him to do the same. Once he did, the tone of the conversation changed.

Words to the effect of ‘I have all your nudes now and will send them to everyone if you don’t do as you are told.’ Hundreds of pounds were demanded, which he paid.

A team of detectives at Nottinghamshire Police investigate all reports of Sextortion, trying to establish if there are any lines of inquiry within the UK.

The majority of offenders are based overseas which makes it significantly harder to ensure prosecution is possible.

Police carried out a number of lines of inquiry and executed a warrant at an address in Hampshire.

A 24-year-old man has now been arrested on suspicion of theft. He has been released on bail while the investigation continues.

Detective Inspector Chris Berryman, whose team investigates Sextortion cases, said:

“Sextortion is a nasty and manipulative crime. We have seen as a team firsthand the impact it has on victims, and we will do everything we can to ensure they are protected.

“Not only will we offer support, we will investigate every line of inquiry which has the potential to bring the offender to justice.

“While many of these Sextortion gangs or individuals are operating from overseas, we are seeing some cases where the suspects are based in the UK. 

“Sextortion has the potential to ruin lives and that is why we take every report extremely seriously.

“As this case is still active, we can’t divulge as much detail as we would like. However, a 24-year-old man has been arrested and our investigation continues at pace.

“We hope this will offer some reassurance to victims of Sextortion – that we will act on any information we are provided with.”