Police in Lisburn and Castlereagh are urging social media users to be cautious

By Julie-Ann Spence
Published 23rd Nov 2022, 12:19 BST
Updated 23rd Nov 2022, 12:19 BST
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Police in Lisburn and Castlereagh are asking social media users to be cautious, following increasing reports of fraud and online blackmail of an intimate or sexual nature.

Chief Inspector Ian McCormick said: “While many young people safely use social media platforms to stay connected with friends and make new online relationships, there are sadly scammers who use false identities to strike up conversations to befriend victims via these platforms.

"Unfortunately, these fraudsters aren’t actually looking for a date, they are seeking to catfish and scam individuals. The exchange may start with flirting and flattery but usually ends with the victim coaxed into sending intimate images or videos of themselves. This is then followed by demands for money to prevent the images being shared with the wider public or shared with family and friends online. Behind the fake and attractive persona, there’s a criminal. Incidents of this nature are referred to as sextortion and are on the increase.“Please be aware of the risks of sharing intimate images online; and if someone is pushing you to do this, then alarm bells should be ringing. If you have been a victim of sextortion, then you’re certainly not alone. Don’t panic; don’t respond to demands; and don’t enter into further communication. If you can, confide in a trusted friend or family member; and please contact us immediately. “We believe these types of crimes are generally under reported and that in some cases, people prefer to pay money rather than contact police. We would urge anyone who has been the victim of cyber related blackmail to come forward and report it to police on 101.

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Pictured are Sgt Darren McCrory – Safe Transport Team, Shelly-Anne Grimes - Crime Prevention Officer, Chief Insp Ian McCormick – Engagement Chief Lisburn, Yvonne Craig – Deputy Chair PCSP Lisburn, and Mark Glover – Translink Manager, LisburnPictured are Sgt Darren McCrory – Safe Transport Team, Shelly-Anne Grimes - Crime Prevention Officer, Chief Insp Ian McCormick – Engagement Chief Lisburn, Yvonne Craig – Deputy Chair PCSP Lisburn, and Mark Glover – Translink Manager, Lisburn
Pictured are Sgt Darren McCrory – Safe Transport Team, Shelly-Anne Grimes - Crime Prevention Officer, Chief Insp Ian McCormick – Engagement Chief Lisburn, Yvonne Craig – Deputy Chair PCSP Lisburn, and Mark Glover – Translink Manager, Lisburn

"Anyone who is the victim of such a crime should be reassured that we are able to deal with it and everyone who comes forward will be treated with dignity and respect by our officers.

“We will continue to work with our local Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) team and other partners throughout the year, to give young people the confidence they need to report incidents.”

To make a report to Police, call the non-emergency number 101 or submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ . You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/ .