WE HAVE HAD ANOTHER SEXTORTION CASE INVOLVING A YOUNG LAD, WHO IS DISTRAUGHT. THE FAMILY WANTED TO KNOW WHAT TO DO TO PROTECT THEIR SON.
I ASKED OUR EXPERT NHW VOLUNTEER IT GURU – PAUL HAY.
THIS WAS HIS RESPONSE:
Hi Jeff
Unfortunately this is a common form of crime. It can be extremely upsetting and worrying
The first thing I would say is DO NOT PAY and stop any interactions / replies to the criminal. In most cases, these are the actions of criminal groups targeting lots of people. Often, organised crime groups overseas.
If they do not get any response, they are likely to disengage and move on to an easier target as their motivation is money.
The following advice is taken from the National Crime Agency website
https://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/what-we-do/crime-threats/kidnap-and-extortion/sextortion-webcam-blackmailDon’t Panic: The first big step is to recognise you are the ‘victim’ in this and that you may require support to help you through what has happened.
Don’t pay: The choice to pay is yours but experience shows where victims have paid then there is no guarantee that offenders will not still post the recording
and are in fact more likely to come back with further demands.
Don’t keep communicating: By replying to these threats it indicates to the criminals that you are someone who may be persuaded to pay their ransom.
Do consider getting support: You can contact your local Police force (101) to report what has happened to you. This is particularly important if you are struggling to cope with the issue. If you are under 18 consider speaking to a trusted adult and additional support is also available via Child Exploitation Online Protection. (CEOP).
Speak to somebody about it. It can be embarrassing, but there are always people that can help you.
PAPYRUS provides confidential advice and support and works to prevent young suicide in the UK.
Samaritans to talk any time you like in your own way and off the record
Also, it is worth saving any information or correspondence that you have as that can prove useful when reporting the crime.
If the victim is a child, then here is some advice for CEOPs:
https://parentinfo.org/article/what-parents-need-to-know-about-the-online-blackmail-known-as-sextortionIt has a link to report the issue to CEOPS for further help.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Paul
As always Paul – we are grateful for this advice.
NEXT: An Action Fraud case to be aware of:
A local resident advertised a phone on Facebook Market Place and someone offered to buy it from her. Initially, the purchaser wanted the phone before the money was sent, but the resident refused. The purchaser sent screenshots of a supposed bank transfer, to try to show that it had been paid.
The resident upon receipt of the screen shot, did not check with their bank – but sent the phone. It now transpires that the screenshot was fake and no money was actually sent.
The resident tried to stop the package, but Royal Mail, in line with their standard policy, couldn't do this.
A friend of the resident also advertised a phone and the same purchaser approached her !
Always check with your bank before dispatching the item !
CRIME
I have attached reference numbers to each crime report. If you live in the vicinity of any of the crimes mentioned and have CCTV or a video doorbell, can you please check the footage. If you have any that might be of interest to the police, can you please make contact with us, quoting reference number given.
I have added a new email address below. The first email address is directly to your local Neighbourhood Team. The second is to our investigation team. Please use it to send any intelligence / video doorbell / CCTV footage you may have, which is relevant to any of the crimes lists below - quoting the reference number.
Alternatively you can call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or email -
www.crimestoppers-uk.orgMAIDENHEAD CENTRAL:
maidenheadcentralgeographical@thamesvalley.pnn.police.ukSR.windsor&
maidenhead@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk.
NO CRIME TO REPORT.
RIVERSIDE & BELMONT:
NO CRIME TO REPORT.
MAIDENHEAD WEST
maidenheadwestgeographical@thamesvalley.pnn.police.ukSR.windsor&
maidenhead@thamesvalley.pnn.police.ukBISHAM, COOKHAM, HURLEY, THE WALTHAMS, LITTLEWICK GREEN & KNOWL HILL:
NO CRIME TO REPORT.
PINKNEYS GREEN & FURZE PLATT:
29/6 Thursday 1 p.m. / 2 p.m. Mapledurham Walk. Car rear driver’s side window smashed. Vandalism. Ref. No; 43210287083
29/6 Thursday 1 p.m. / 2.15 p.m. Jct Stubbings lane / Henley Road. Car rear window smashed – bag of membership cards stolen. Ref. No: 43210286620
MAIDENHEAD SOUTH
maidenheadsouthgeographical@thamesvalley.pnn.police.ukSR.windsor&
maidenhead@thamesvalley.pnn.police.ukBOYN HILL, COX GREEN & WOODLANDS PARK
29/6 Thursday 3.15 p.m. The Street, Shurlock Row. Burglary in progress. The owner went out for a short while and had an alert on their phone from their video doorbell, that someone had broken into their home via the rear French doors. They could see a white and a black man inside the property. Neighbours were aware of this and tried to detain the two men as they climbed out of windows, but they managed to make off. A few seconds later a black Ford ranger drove past at speed towards North St. Lawrence. Untidy search of the property – not yet known if anything stolen. Ref. No: 43210286568
29/6 Thursday overnight. Cox Green lane. Front fence damaged. Ref. No: 43210287829
OLDFIELD, BRAY & HOLYPORT:
NO CRIME TO REPORT.
Please consider using our online reporting system but please note this reporting tool is not for use where a crime happening right now, the suspect is still at the scene, or anyone seriously injured or in immediate danger.
https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/follow us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/TVPWindsorandMaidenheadEyes, ears.....and Brain
Jeff
Jeffrey.pick@thamesvalley.pnn.police.ukFROM THE MAIDENHEAD NHW ASSOCIATION:
Maidenhead Neighbourhood Watch Association is growing fast, and with more members joining every day, we need to ask for volunteers to join us on the association to help keep the association going and keep Maidenhead safe!
Here is a shortlist of the positions we have available:
Multi-Scheme Administrator (MSA)
Secretary of the Association
Board members of the Association
Vice-Chairman of the Association
Please visit our website: MaidenheadNHWA.org.uk and from there you will be able to see all the different ways you can get involved to help support your local community. There is no time commitment or dedicated hours, but we do ask if you can attend the association meetings (One 60 Minute meeting every 2 months)
