A campaign to protect young people from sextortion has been launched across Scotland as the global number of cases has doubled annually, according to data.

Crimestoppers’ new Fearless campaign has urged young people aged 13 to 21 who may be victims of sextortion not to pay or comply with perpetrators and instead seek help.

Sextortion is when criminals threaten to share nude or semi-nude photos of their victim, often to the victim’s personal contacts on social media, if money is not paid or the victim does not comply with their demands.

The image can be a real photo taken by the victim or a fake image that the criminal created to track the blackmail.

The campaign, launched by the Scottish Government and Police Scotland, says the majority of sextortion cases involve male victims aged between 14 and 18 and that in 2023, 91% of victims were male.

Fearless is the arm of Crimestoppers dedicated to helping children and young people.

It launched the new campaign after the US National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) said the number of reported cases of sextortion doubled globally in 2023, rising to 26,718 from 10,731 the previous year.

The campaign aims to reach the target audience through social media applications such as TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram.

It emphasizes that any young person can be affected, explaining that it is not their fault, they are not alone and that help is available.

Sextortion scammers often work alone, but there are organized crime gangs that use sextortion as a means of financial gain, and even entire contact centers run abroad with the intention of profiting from the crime.

The campaign will also offer advice to adults who work and look after young people, with the aim of raising their awareness of the crime.

Lyndsay McDade, Fearless Scotland manager at Crimestoppers, said: “We know that sextortion can have a massive and devastating impact on the victim, particularly if they feel unable to get help because of embarrassment or fear of being judged or to have problems.

“During the development of the campaign, we worked with a number of youth groups across the country to find out what young people’s understanding of sextortion is, what gaps we could fill and, importantly, what they are most likely to engage with on social media .

“Fear of getting into trouble has been a big concern for young people, so let’s be clear – if this has happened to you, it’s not your fault – you’re a victim.

“You won’t face any guilt, people just want to help you. Please speak to an adult, go straight to the police or contact Childline.

“And for adults, as a mother of teenagers myself, I know how difficult this topic can seem. Please visit our website fearless.org to learn more and consider talking to your young person about this.

“More than anything, they need to know that they can come to you if this ever happens to them and that they will be supported to get through it.”

Under-reporting of sextortion is believed to be high due to the intimate nature of the crime.

Minister for Victims and Community Safety Siobhian Brown said: “I am delighted that the Scottish Government is jointly funding this important Fearless campaign with Police Scotland, which will highlight the growing incidence of sextortion involving our young people.

“Sextortion has a devastating impact on young people and their families and I know it can be a difficult topic to talk about or that families are not aware it is happening.

“I want to reassure young people that it’s never your fault, please don’t panic or pay, but get help by talking to a trusted adult or support service and report sextortion to the police.

“Remember, you will get through this and you will be supported to do so.”

Police Scotland Assistant Chief Constable Steve Johnson said: “Sextortion is an insidious, despicable crime and is a form of blackmail. I would urge anyone who is targeted not to pay up, nor should they be embarrassed or scared to report it to the police or to someone else such as a parent, friend or teacher.

“The Fearless campaign, which we wholeheartedly welcome and support, will help raise awareness of these crimes with those most likely to be targeted and hopefully reassure them that support is available from the police and partner agencies .

“We know it is likely that sextortion is still an under-reported crime and anyone targeted is a victim. They should not panic as they have done nothing wrong and will be treated with confidence, respect and dignity and the circumstances will be fully investigated with sensitivity and professionalism.”

Sextortion can be reported to the police directly or by contacting Childline on 0800 1111 or via their website childline.org.uk.