We have noticed that this scam is gaining some traction here with our students at Marlborough Boys' College.

We have noticed that this scam is gaining some traction here with our students at Marlborough Boys' College. In this case knowledge is power, the more students and parents know of this scam, the less power the scammers hold. The concern with this scam is that boys can feel embarrassed if they do get scammed, which can affect their mental health and increase the risk of harm to themselves.

HOW THIS SCAM WORKS

1. A scammer will create a fake account and start chatting with people online, usually through social media or a dating site. A photo of an attractive girl will normally be used to get the attention of our teenage boys.

2. After some conversation, the scammer will invite a person to exchange nudes or send photos of their face.

3. If nudes are sent, then the scammer will threaten to publish these online if the person doesn’t pay a ransom. Even if nudes are not sent, the scammer will say that they will send someone else’s nudes, say that it is them or put their face with nudes.

4. This scam is usually performed by professionals and criminal rings; they are talking with several people at the same time and are only looking for money

5. Although we can’t 100% guarantee that photos won’t be shared, most of the time the scammer will move on once they realise a person won’t pay the ransom. There are some concrete steps that you can take that will lessen the likelihood that this person will share these images.

IF THE SCAMMER IS MAKING DEMANDS

· Do not pay this person. The scammer will continue to make demands for more money, and they are often more likely to end up posting the photo

· Report any content and the user to the social media site.

· You can report a scammers account on Facebook by following the instructions here. Select the options Nudity > Sharing Private Images

· You can report a scammers account on Instagram by following the instructions here: Select the options Its Inappropriate > Nudity > Sharing Private Images

· Find instructions for reporting to Google Hangouts here

· Find instructions for reporting to Skype here

· Stop all contact with this person and block them on all platforms

· Temporarily deactivate or ‘lock down’ (set all privacy settings to their highest level) your social media accounts. As each situation is unique, there is no set time frame for how long you should keep your accounts deactivated or locked-down.

· Find instructions for deactivating Facebook here and for starting Facebook’s Privacy Check-up here

· Find instructions for disabling Instagram here and changing your privacy settings here

· Find instructions for deactivating Snapchat here and changing your privacy settings here

· Ask a trusted adult, such as a family member, to keep an eye on social media for you. This can help keep you informed if anything is shared, and also allows you to take a break and look after your own wellbeing.

· You may find it useful to prepare a statement to friends and family, explaining that you’ve been targeted by a scammer (you don’t need to share details) and asking contacts to ignore messages from unknown people.

· You can also consider setting up Google Alert so that you're notified if anything is published online using your name. You can find instructions for how to do this here. Please be aware this will not capture every instance of your name being used online

IF PHOTOS/VIDEOS HAVE BEEN SHARED OR THE BLACKMAILER MESSAGES YOUR FRIENDS/FAMILY

· Take a screenshot for your records.

· Report it to the social media site - most social media sites have terms and conditions that don't allow nudity and will act on the content

· Find instructions for reporting to Facebook here.

· Find instructions for reporting to Instagram here.

· Find instructions for reporting to Google Hangouts here

· Find instructions for reporting to Skype here

· Netsafe can also help to report this account and content. If private content has been shared, give Netsafe a call on 0508 638 723. As these messages could contain your intimate images, it’s important that you do not:

· Save screenshots where your images can be seen

· Send your intimate images to Netsafe or any other party

Further support
We understand these types of things can be upsetting. We encourage you to talk to someone you trust or reach out for further support. Contact Youthline on free text 234 or call 0800 376 633 or Lifeline on free text HELP (4357) or call 0800 LIFELINE (0800 54 33 54) to talk to a confidential counsellor.