Lottie Hedenborg is the head of the police group in Bergslagen that works with internet-related sexual offenses against children. She says that they have seen an increase in sexual extortion of children for economic gain, also known as "sextortion".
Mostly, it is boys who are affected.
The children we have had contact with are boys between 11 and 14 years old, says Lottie Hedenborg.
Snapchat is common
The perpetrators make contact with the victims, often in English, on the platforms where children often are and especially on Snapchat.
They create some kind of relationship and get the child to send nude pictures. And when the pictures have been sent, the extortion begins.
The perpetrators threaten the children that the nude pictures will be spread to family and friends if the child does not send money.
It's about such sums that a child would have. It can be a few hundred kronor or a thousand-krona note, says Lottie Hedenborg.
Her advice to those who are affected is to immediately report it to the police.
Also, take screenshots of everything possible and block the user.
Don't get angry
Lottie Hedenborg says that it is important for the child that the one who has a child who has been exposed does not get angry or judge the child.
One should not punish the child. Talk to the child, listen, and help in the process.
And to prevent children from falling victim to sex extortionists online, the advice is also to talk.
Talk to children and young people about this happening. That one should be careful online and with whom one talks to.
But explain the risk of nude pictures. If one has sent a picture via the internet, it will also remain on the internet.
