Nigerian Crime Gangs Target British Teenage Boys in Sextortion Schemes
Nigerian crime gangs are exploiting British teenage boys through sextortion plots on social media. The National Crime Agency reports that most victims are males aged 14 to 17 who are coerced into sending explicit images under false pretenses. An NCA awareness campaign urges victims not to pay blackmailers, while international collaboration with Nigerian authorities seeks to tackle the perpetrators. The alarming trend has led to rising suicide cases among victims.
British teenage boys, particularly those aged 14 to 17, are increasingly falling victim to sextortion schemes orchestrated by Nigerian crime gangs, as reported by the National Crime Agency (NCA). These gangs utilize platforms such as Snapchat and Instagram to deceive boys into sending explicit photos, subsequently demanding payment to prevent the distribution of these images to their social circles. Notably, while female victims generally dominate child sexual exploitation cases, 90% of sextortion victims are male adolescents.
The NCA indicated that these criminal networks extend beyond Nigeria, with operations also reported in the Ivory Coast and the Philippines. Marie Smith, a senior manager at the CEOP within the NCA, highlighted the disturbing nature of these crimes. She noted that offenders typically fabricate profiles of young women to obtain indecent images, applying intense pressure on victims for immediate payment, frequently threatening exposure in the process.
In recent reports, adults up to the age of 30 have also succumbed to such scams, with some victims tragically resorting to suicide out of fear of humiliation. The NCA has initiated a campaign to raise awareness concerning these threats, encouraging victims to remain calm and refrain from paying blackmailers. Ms. Smith reassured victims that support is available, emphasizing that payment often invites further demands from the perpetrators.
The NCA is collaborating with law enforcement in Nigeria to combat these transnational gangs. Ms. Smith remarked, “We’re working internationally with our Nigerian counterparts, which is where we’re seeing most of this abuse happening. Nothing is off the cards and we hope to hold these criminals accountable.”
Alex Murray, the NCA’s director of threat leadership, referred to sextortion as “unimaginably cruel” with severe ramifications for victims. He stressed the importance of the campaign in educating young boys about recognizing dangers and reporting incidents. Murray also affirmed that victims should understand such exploitation is never their fault, aiming to diminish criminals’ advantages.
In 2024 alone, the NCA’s CEOP safety centre received 380 reports of sextortion. Will Gardner, CEO of Childnet, expressed concern over the rising incidents of financial sextortion affecting adolescents, describing a typical scenario where boys are manipulated into sharing images under pretenses of friendship and flirtation. Gardner characterized this situation as both a scam and a severe form of exploitation executed by organized crime syndicates.
The rise of sextortion targeting British teenage boys by Nigerian crime gangs highlights a severe and growing threat within digital landscapes. The NCA emphasizes awareness, support, and prevention as crucial measures to combat this issue. With a focus on empowering young victims, the campaign aims to dismantle the financial incentives empowering these criminal organizations while reinforcing that such exploitation is never the fault of the victim. Continuous awareness and collaboration among law enforcement are vital in addressing this pressing concern.
Original Source: www.lbc.co.uk
