Online criminals target young people in ‘sadistic sextortion’ crimes

Parents are warned that children aged 12 and over are being targeted for the distribution of extremely sexual and violent content online.

The Australian Federal Police said today that there has been a rise in cases of “sadistic sextortion” involving young people.

Criminals use social media and messaging services to coerce children and young adults into producing explicit material in order to gain acceptance into extreme online communities.

The perpetrator shares the content with other members of the online group. They attempt to blackmail the victim by threatening to send the material to family or friends unless the victim produces more videos and extreme content.

Soon the victim will be pressured to share even more self-made shocking content, including specific live sex acts, animal abuse, serious self-harm and live online suicide.

According to AFP, in some cases the criminals behind the extortion attempts are the same age as the victims.

In 2022, a case was brought in Western Australia in which a 14-year-old offender was accused of sadistic sextortion.

Police seized their phone and later identified child abuse material (CAM) and animal cruelty videos. The perpetrator was charged and given a minors warning.

Helen Schneider, commander of AFP’s Human Exploitation Unit, said most criminals in extreme online groups are not motivated by money but rather seek higher status within the group.

“Unlike sextortion, these perpetrators are not motivated by financial gain. Instead, they are driven by the exploitation of vulnerable victims to produce horrific content for their twisted entertainment,” she said.

Parents and caregivers are urged to be alert to warning signs that young people are being pressured online.

Examples of this include increasing screen time on the computer or phone, isolating themselves from friends and family, or being secretive about who they interact with online.