Dorset Police warn of 'sextortion' gangs blackmailing victims

In some cases webcams have been activated by spyware to record victims, said police

Organised gangs from overseas are blamed for an increase in the number of people blackmailed over intimate online material.

Police in Dorset have investigated 18 cases in two months, mainly men being blackmailed over photos or videos.

Criminals from a number of countries are obtaining the material after posing as people looking for romance online.

Officers have identified perpetrators in the US, Ghana, Ivory Coast and the Philippines.

In some cases webcams have been activated by spyware to record victims without their knowledge, police said.

Det Supt Mark Callaghan said: "The problem we have with locating the perpetrators of 'sextortion' offences is the suspects will often hack in to other people's accounts and use a variety of methods to disguise their location.

"Most of the offenders are believed to be abroad in a variety of countries.

"It is important that the public recognise the potential risks of their online behaviour."