Students are urged to speak out against dating app scams as blackmail cases surge, according to investigators.
Fraud teams at Nationwide Building Society report a rise in incidents and advise that trusted friends can help prevent victims from sharing private or intimate images online. Victims are encouraged to report scams to the authorities.
A Cardiff student recounted to the BBC how a casual pub conversation revealed a friend’s entanglement with fraudsters utilizing AI technology.
Last year, the National Crime Agency (NCA) issued its first nationwide alert to schools, warning teenagers about sextortion risks.
Sextortion involves criminals posing as young people online, tricking victims into sharing explicit material, and subsequently blackmailing them.
Annya Burksys, Nationwide’s head of fraud operations, describes scammers as “efficient and unrelenting,” making these scams prevalent among students.
Data collection on such crimes is challenging due to inconsistent reporting methods. A Nationwide survey revealed 28% of surveyed students had been scammed, with 50% expressing concern about becoming victims.
Following a BBC News Freedom of Information request to UK police forces, nearly 8,000 blackmail cases referencing sextortion were reported in 2023, compared to just 23 in 2014 (data from 33 of 45 responding forces in England and Wales).
During a night out, Cardiff student Emma Evans noticed suspicious patterns in a friend’s online dating conversation, identifying repetitive language indicative of an AI chatbot.
Emma explained to BBC Radio 4’s You and Yours how the repetitive phrases, such as excessive emphasis on passion, raised concerns.
Jim Winters, Nationwide’s head of economic crime, cautions against oversharing, particularly with strangers, emphasizing the lasting impact of shared images.
He stresses the importance of seeking help: “Blackmail is incredibly difficult; don’t suffer in silence. If something feels wrong, speak up. Once shared, you lose control.”
He advises speaking to a trusted friend or family member.
Beyond targeting young people, fraudsters increasingly exploit the grief of bereaved families. According to the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI), criminals impersonate deceased individuals online, charging for access to free funeral livestreams or creating fraudulent donation pages.
Katherine Hart of CTSI describes these scams as “despicable,” targeting vulnerable individuals during times of immense emotional distress. She urges vigilance and reporting of suspicious activity.
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