BASINGSTOKE police are warning people about a cybercrime where victims are lured into performing sexual acts in front of a camera.

Police in the town posted on social media asking their followers if they know about sextortion and what it is.

Providing an explanation, they said: “In short, it’s a form of cybercrime and blackmail during which victims are lured into performing sexual acts in front of a webcam, or a camera on a smartphone.

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“Victims are unaware their actions are being recorded by criminals who then use the video footage in an attempt to blackmail them.

"Sextortion offenders typically threaten to upload video recordings to the internet, or threaten to send the footage to a victim’s family and friends if demands, usually for money, are not met.”

Last year figures showed that cases of sextortion reported to the UK’s revenge porn helpline had almost doubled within a year, becoming its main issue for the first time.

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Basingstoke police gave an example of how it works, saying: “A man is contacted by a person who they believe to be a woman online. The man receives a friend request on social media and accepts.

"Their new ‘friend’ then enters into an online conversation with them in an attempt to seduce, entice and entrap them into sexual behaviour.

“This is then recorded on camera before blackmail threats are made.

“Victims of this type of offence don’t always have the emotional strength to cope with the blackmail, which is why we want to give more victims the confidence to contact police so we can help you.”

If you have been affected by this type of crime contact Hampshire Constabulary on 101. For more information watch this YouTube video or visit https://www.hampshire.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/sexual-offences/sextortion/.