'Sextortion' Scheme Warning Issued By South Bay Police Department

EL SEGUNDO, CA — A South Bay police department is warning the public of a growing scheme where scammers try to extort people through text.

"Avoid the 'number one mistake,' by believing that it will never happen to you," the El Segundo Police Department said in a statement on social media Tuesday.

Scammers have been obtaining people's numbers through data breaches or purchasing them on the dark web, according to the El Segundo Police Department.

They then send mass texts, according to police, claiming they have explicit photos and will threaten to share them unless that person pays — a scheme known as "sextortion."

If someone takes the bait, the scammer will demand payment in either the form of cryptocurrency or other online payments such as Zelle, according to the ESPD.

The ESPD says not to respond or pay, and to report and block the number.

"You may consider informing your contacts of the scam if you are concerned the scammer may follow through with their threats," the police department said. "This can help prevent any potential embarrassment or misunderstandings."