this National Police stoped elche a Five young children aged 16 to 17 to extort money from adolescents of both sexes, who are threatened with disseminating sexually explicit images if they do not pay them some money. The compromised photos were obtained from the victims via social networks. Instagram, where researched creates false profiles. All those arrested have been released on charges after appearing at the Elche Police Station and are at the disposal of the Juvenile Prosecutor’s Office.
Some victims even paid small sums they left in lockers or other locations indicated by those being investigated. The extortionists and victims belonged to the same school setting and in some cases even knew each other.
The Elche Police Station Forensic Police Brigade 1st Group agents began the investigation after a minor stated that he had extorted money in exchange for not posting some sexually explicit photos. Investigators were able to identify five minors of Spanish nationality, two men and three women. force underage girls from the same high school or others nearby via Instagram.
According to the police, those involved in the incident lost the trust of their victims, boys and girls, fake profiles they created on Instagram. After making contact and gaining their full trust, they asked victims for sexually explicit images, and after receiving inappropriate photos, they began contacting them via the same social network, demanding money for not spreading them.
The National Police reminds us of the importance of educating minors on safe guidelines for surfing the Internet and to avoid being the victim of telematics crimes such as grooming, racketeering (sexual blackmail) and other crimes derived from them. Among other guidelines, Police advise never providing or sharing private images or making concessions through social networks and not trusting strangers communicating with them. In this sense, the Police reminds us that in the virtual world, not everyone is who they say they are.
It is also recommended to keep the equipment up to date and protected to prevent file theft from the Police Station; Never succumb to the blackmail of the harasser and seek the assistance of an adult or the National Police if you are the victim of harassment, intimidation or extortion of any kind over the internet or social networks. In such a case, there is a website (www.policia.es/colabora.php) where any citizen can report such incidents to the Police.