1 in 5 victims of ‘naked chat blackmail’ in Hong Kong are 11-year-old students

Students aged 11 and over in Hong Kong accounted for a fifth of victims of “naked chat blackmail” in the first half of this year, with police warning residents on Monday to be careful when meeting people online.

According to police, the crime typically involves scammers tricking victims into undressing during video calls and then threatening to distribute the nude photos and videos to extort money.

Criminals also used a “shotgun approach” to befriend their targets through social media platforms and employed various tactics to groom children for sexual exploitation while intimidating them into silence, police added.

According to police, a 13-year-old girl recently met a male friend online through social media. He eventually bonded with the girl under the guise of sharing study tips after chatting with her online multiple times.

“He later claimed he could offer her tutoring and arranged to meet her, after which he took her to a hotel and attempted to rape her,” police said on their website CyberDefender, an initiative to inform residents about online dangers.

“Fortunately, the girl was able to inform her mother in time, preventing a tragedy.”

Police said on Monday that they had registered 215 cases of “naked chat blackmail” in the first half of this year involving schoolchildren, the youngest being just 11 years old.

Figures show that a total of 1,102 reports of this type of crime were made between January and June this year, causing damage worth HK$31.3 million (US$4 million).

Last year, the police handled a total of 2,117 cases, in which 443 students were victims.

“Perpetrators often gain the trust of children through false pretenses, gradually luring them into a trap,” police said.

“For example, they may pretend to be concerned about the children’s situation to learn more about their interests so they can accommodate their wishes, give gifts to win favors, or repeatedly send their own photos to request photos of the children.”

According to police, child sexual abuse not only causes serious harm, but can also negatively impact children’s social skills, mental development and family relationships.

“Such experiences can distort children’s worldview and undermine their right to a happy upbringing,” police said.

Police warned that children should not expose themselves on camera or send explicit photos to protect themselves from sexual abuse.

The widespread use of the internet brings with it several hidden dangers, police say. Photo: Shutterstock

Police also urge parents to communicate openly with their children so they better understand healthy gender relationships and stay aware of their online activities.

“The widespread use of the Internet brings with it several hidden dangers, while none of us can escape the associated pitfalls,” the police said.

“We must take preventive measures to stop grooming from the start and create a safe and nurturing environment for children.”

The number of cases of “naked chat blackmail” rose 50 percent last year to 2,117, compared to 1,402 the year before. The amount of money victims lost doubled from HK$22 million in 2022 to HK$44 million in 2023.

This crime usually involves blackmailers – usually women – undressing in front of their webcams to entice their victims to do the same.

They then secretly film their victims and threaten to distribute the video online or to the victims’ family members or friends unless payment is made.