Sextortion on the rise: Northamptonshire Police urge online caution
Police say blackmail cases have increased by nearly 24 % percent since last year
Northamptonshire Police has issued a warning after recording a 23.7% rise in sextortion cases across the county, urging people to take extra care when interacting online.
Since October 2025, Northamptonshire Police has recorded more than 120 sextortion cases, most involving young boys who shared sexual images with someone who turned out to be a blackmailer
Detective Inspector (DI) Liam O’Neill, from Northamptonshire Police’s CID department, says criminals are increasingly using social media, gaming platforms and dating apps to befriend victims before quickly pushing conversations into private messaging.
What is sextortion?
While “sextortion” isn’t a specific criminal offence, it usually falls under blackmail, malicious communications, or threatening to disclose private sexual images.
DI O’Neill explains the pattern typically seen in Northamptonshire:
“Victims are sending images of themselves naked and then being threatened to pay money. The offender will say the pictures will be sent to friends or family if they don’t.”
Young men most at risk
Police say around 90% of local victims are men aged 18 to 24, matching trends seen nationally. Offenders often use fake profiles, sometimes posing as young women, to encourage victims to share images.
O’Neill says many offenders are thought to be overseas organised crime groups using VPNs to mask who and where they are. As a result, more than 80% of cases end with no suspect identified.
“If you wouldn’t show it in public, don’t send it in private.”
“Often you might think you’re speaking to a female, but it isn’t a female at all,” he says. “These criminals are very good at hiding who they are.”
The impact on victims
Police say the emotional toll sextortion has on victims can be severe. O'Neill explained, “It’s a lonely place to be. Victims often feel ashamed, frightened and worried about how they’ll be judged.”
He stressed that nobody will be blamed and victims are encouraged to come forward immediately and report to the police, “You’re a victim of crime. The police won’t judge you and there is support available.”He said.
Red flags to watch for
Police say the biggest warning signs include:
- Someone you’ve just met online asking for intimate images very quickly
- Pressure to move onto private messaging
- Pressure to send nude or explicit videos or photos
- Contacted by an unknown account, or a friend’s hacked account sending messages that feel wrong or out of character
- Pressured into paying money or buying things like pre‑paid gift cards
- Relationship‑style chat that progresses unusually fast
Why prevention matters
With so many perpetrators operating overseas, Northamptonshire Police says prevention is the most effective tool.
“This is such a preventable crime,” O'Neill says. “If we can educate people and encourage safer online habits, we can stop many of these incidents before they happen.”
What to do if you’re targeted
Police urge anyone who receives threats to:
- Stop communicating immediately
- Do not pay any money
- Report it to the police straight away
- Speak to someone you trust and seek support
“The sooner we know, the better chance we have of progressing the investigation.” O’Neill added.
Northamptonshire Police say they will continue raising awareness in a bid to reduce offences and ensure victims feel confident coming forward.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sextortion, report it to police on 101, or call 999 in an emergency. You can find further advice on the Northamptonshire Police website Reports can also be made through the Report Fraud website or by calling 0300 123 2040