Bay of Plenty Police are urging young people, parents, and guardians to educate themselves about safe online practices, as reports of sextortion continue.

“In one very recent incident, a Bay of Plenty teenager paid money to a New Zealand based account after they were blackmailed into sending money or a sexualised photo of them would be released," says Tauranga South Response Manager, Acting Senior Sergeant Timothy Bonner.

“The offending generally begins with a direct message sent to the victim on social media from an unknown person, where they are then asked to continue chatting on a different app, and the conversation often becomes highly sexualised.”

“From there the victim is coerced into sharing intimate photos and/or videos of themselves where the victim can be identified, i.e. showing their face or identifying features, which are used to blackmail them, with threats to share it to their social media contacts list unless they pay."

In some instances, photos are reportedly doctored by the offender to make the victim appear to be in even more compromising positions.

Offenders can also capture naked or sexual images of the young person while they’re on live stream or video, which is often then part of extortion.

Tautoko Mai Sexual Harm Support have counsellors, social workers, nurses and doctors available to help support people.

If you are a victim to Sextortion:

1. Avoid sending any more images or videos - even if they are threatening you.
2. Remember - once you have complied with their demands there is nothing preventing them targeting you again.
3. 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.
4. Block the profile.
5. Report the content to the platform i.e. the social media or website they contacted you on, or the content has been sent or posted on and request the content is removed.
6. Make a report to Police (via 105) or Netsafe to find out what other options are available to you.

Where to report offending:

New Zealand Police

105 (non-Emergency)

111 (Emergency)

Netsafe

Text ‘Netsafe' to 4282

Email: help@netsafe.org.nz (link sends e-mail)

Call Netsafe toll free on 0508 NETSAFE (0508 638 723)

Online report form at netsafe.org.nz/report

Netsafe helpline is open from 8am – 8pm Monday to Friday and 9am – 5pm on weekends.

If you need support contact Tautoko Mai on 0800 227233.