Sextortion reports in Guernsey already double what was recorded last year, prompting police advice
- Sextortion is a rising issue in Guernsey
- Police issue advice to inform families and young adults about the dangers.
- Victims can be coerced into paying after threats to release inappropriate images.
- Police warn of the use of AI tools to manipulate images for blackmail purposes.
- Educational efforts about the dangers include workshops and forums across high schools and colleges.
Reports of people being blackmailed after threats to release inappropriate images of them are on the rise.
Known as sextortion, there have been 15 reports in Guernsey so far this year - there were eight recorded across the whole of 2024.
Images can be genuine photos taken by the victim or falsified images created by offenders using non-sexual images that have been taken from victims' social media profiles and altered.
The introduction of AI image generators and editing software has escalated this crime, enabling offenders to create realistic yet manipulated images to blackmail victims.
While anyone can fall victim to sextortion, the most frequently targeted are young men and boys.
Digital Safety Development Officer Laura Simpson said: “Sextortion is a crime which is ultimately about money. The criminals involved are not technologically sophisticated but know how to emotionally manipulate victims into believing they have no choice but to pay up. This crime plays on the feelings of guilt and shame, which makes it easy to isolate teenagers.”
The local reports indicate a spike in cases among the 14-18 and 18-30 age groups.
As part of their preventive measures, Guernsey Police have implemented an educational programme within schools.
Police staff are engaging students by conducting workshops, assemblies, and training sessions for staff, in addition to hosting parent and carer forums at all high schools and colleges.
Through the schools' programme, the police are encouraging victims to come forward and report their experiences.
Police Schools Liaison Officer PC Nick Boughay commented on the difficulty parents may face in discussing the topic with their children.
"Many parents may find it difficult, or even embarrassing, to talk to their children about sexually coerced extortion.
"Our advice is to treat it like any other aspect of parenting, with open, honest conversations. As parents, we need to look out for signs that something might be wrong, and as we think of all the potential things it could be, add into that ‘could it be something online?’”
According to advice from the Met Police, criminals often target people through dating apps, social media, webcams, or pornography sites.
They may use a fake identity to befriend someone online. If a person you’ve just met online chats to you in a sexual way, or asks for sexual images, it might be an attempt at sextortion.
You should be wary if someone you’ve met online:
- is trying to start a relationship with you very quickly (they may even send you a sexual image first)
- chats to you in a sexual way, or asks for sexual images, soon after you've met them.
- has sent friend requests to lots of people, not just you
- repeatedly asks you to do sexual things that you’re not comfortable with
- tells you they’ve hacked your account or have access to your contacts
Sextortion attempts can happen very quickly, or they can happen over a long time.
In the event of a sextortion experience, Guernsey Police provide the following guidance:
- Do not pay the extortionist.
- Take screenshots of all correspondence; do not delete anything.
- Stop all communication, blocking and reporting the offender.
- Get support from a trusted adult.
- Report the incident to the police by calling 222 222.
For additional information and advice concerning sextortion, visit here.
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