Police are reminding the community about sextortion, which especially targets younger males, following a number of recent reports.

A number of young people are reported to have been blackmailed into paying money after sending sexual images or videos to strangers on social media.

"Often the person who people think they have struck up a relationship with is not who they say they are and is using a fake profile," says a post on the Waikato Police Facebook page.

"The blackmailers – often based overseas – threaten to share the images or videos unless the victim pays or moves funds for them or sends more photos.

"Blackmailers often continue to ask for money after receiving the initial payment and this is unlikely to stop."

This activity can be reported to Police on 105 or to NETSAFE on 0508 638 723.

More information on sextortion scams, including how to report these, can be found on the NETSAFE website here: https://netsafe.org.nz/webcam-blackmail-scams/

If you are someone you know has become a victim of a sextortion scam, we urge you to take the following actions:

-Avoid sending any more images or videos - even if they are threatening you.

-Remember - once you have complied with their demands there is nothing preventing them targeting you again.

-Save all the online chat, immediately take screenshots. This is important for making a report to the Police, we need all the evidence that you can gather.

-Block the profile.

-Report the content to the platform (e.g. Facebook, Snapchat, PornHub) it is on and request the content is removed.

-Make a report to Police (via 105) or Netsafe to find out what other options are available to you.