'Sextortion': Police Report 14 Cases in Fairfax County

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA -- At least 14 people have reported being the victim of a sexual extortion scam, known as "sextortion," so far this year in Fairfax County, police reported Thursday.

The scam involves someone, often overseas, setting up fake social media accounts, befriending potential victims online, coaxing victims to send inappropriate photos and then threatening to post the photos if they aren't paid, Fairfax County Police said.

Scammers have used Facebook, Skype and Coffee Meets Bagel as online sites where they have set up fake "personal" accounts used to befriend potential victims, according to Fairfax County Police. Victims think they are corresponding with a new friend, but in reality, the names and photos can be fictitious, police say.

The "sextortion" victims in cases reported this year in Fairfax County range in age from 16 to 58; in 11 of the 14 cases, the victims were men, police said. In 2015, there were 14 “sextortion” cases; victims ranged from 17 to 56 years old and 12 of the 14 victims were men, according to police.

Fairfax County Police remind everyone to be careful when talking to anyone who’s a stranger or unfamiliar to you:

• Do not share photos or video of yourself with anyone you have never met in person; even then, do not share explicit imagery online, particularly with someone you’ve only known a short time.
• Be extremely cautious about strangers online who friend you or initiate contact. Fake profiles are easy to create.
• Never share personal information with anyone you meet online. You have no idea who they are or if they are even real. Scammers often use photos and names pulled from the Internet to fool you.
• Never send photos or video of yourself to anyone online. Once you hit send, you have zero control over what happens to those images.
• Scammers go to great lengths to make you believe their profile is that of a real person, one who’s interested in you. Facebook accounts may have photos and posts dated back one or two years; when you research the names or websites used by scammers, you may find information or a web page that looks credible; in reality, it might be completely forged.
• Often, scammers originate from outside the U.S. and they constantly create and discard phony user profiles, e-mails and contacts, making it nearly impossible to determine their true identities.
• Never send money to someone you met online. Scammers employ countless excuses to pull on your heart strings and take your money. Stories range from sick children in need of medical care to having been hired with the purpose of extorting victims (but if the victim pays them more, they will stop).

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Solvers by phone at 1-866-411-TIPS/8477, e-mail at www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org or text “TIP187” plus your message to CRIMES/274637 or call Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131.

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