Randfontein Police have revealed examples of the threats that are sent to male victims in the extortion scam they warned about previously.
According to Captain Appel Ernst, Randfontein Police spokesperson, several cases of extortion specifically targeted at men were reported in the past few months.
She said the modus operandi of the suspects may vary slightly, but the manner of extortion stays the same.
As an example, Ernst said, “Unsuspecting men who are on chat groups, whether on Facebook, Whatsapp or any other social media platform, get invited to talk to a ‘lady’, and before long these chats turn sexual. During these chats, nude photos are exchanged and the men are requested to send nude photos of themselves. The minute that nude photos are shared, the trap has been set.
“The victim is now instructed to pay money into a money market account, otherwise the nude photos will be published/ circulated on social media, or sent to the victim’s wife, or posted on the police website. Numerous other threats are made as well. The suspects also access the victims’ Facebook accounts to obtain information such as addresses etc. They then harass the victim until he pays over the money.
“This is a friendly but stern warning to our male residents to refrain from posting nude photos of themselves on social media.”
Anyone with information about this scam can contact the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111 or send an SMS to Crime Line on 32211, and remain anonymous.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at randfonteinherald@caxton.co.za  (please remember to include your contact details in the email) or phone us on 011 693 3671.
For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to let your voice be heard!
