Scots sextortion scams rise in lockdown with 10-year-old victim youngest targeted
Among children aged 10 – 15 years, most extortion demands were for further sexual images or videos of the youngsters. (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
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Kids as young as 10 targeted by sextortion creeps as number of crimes spike REPORTS of sexual exploitation have in Scotland increased by 44 per cent - with the youngest victim aged just 10. Data published by Police Scotland has shown that 238 crimes were reported between January and August last year - an increase of 87 from the previous year. Among the incidents, 83% included footage or images being obtained through webcam recordings or pictures provided from the victim. Two-thirds of the extortions demanded money from the victim to avoid disclosure of sexual images or footage they had unwittingly provided to criminals. Sextortion victims were aged between 10 and 85, with the majority (64% or 182) aged 25 and under.