SINGAPORE – The police have issued a warning regarding a surge in cyber extortion scams that involve intimate images and sexually explicit video calls. Since August 2026, there have been at least 52 reported cases, resulting in losses exceeding $134,000, according to a police advisory released on September 3.
Victims are typically approached via dating apps or social media platforms. After establishing contact, scammers persuade them to move the conversation to messaging apps. Once trust is built, victims are often convinced to engage in sexually explicit video calls or share intimate photographs, which the scammers secretly record or save.
Following this, the scammers threaten to release the recorded images and videos or share them with the victims’ family members, friends, or social media contacts unless a payment is made. The police noted that extortion attempts frequently continue even after victims comply with the scammers’ demands.
Authorities advise the public to avoid participating in sexually explicit video calls or sharing intimate photographs, especially with individuals met online. Caution is urged when interacting with strangers on dating apps and social media platforms. Users should refrain from disclosing personal information and consider setting their social media accounts to private.
If individuals encounter such scams, they are advised not to comply with the scammers’ demands or make any payments. Instead, they should cease all communication with the scammers, save screenshots of conversations and transaction records, and report the incidents to the police as soon as possible. For more information, refer to the advisory from the police.
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