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About Sextortion Scams – Documentary
An Exceptional Documentary from Australia’s 7News
A Scam Victim’s Story – A SCARS Insight
Article Abstract
7NEWS Spotlight’s investigation, led by Sarah Greenhalgh, exposes the dark reality of social media sextortion and the involvement of tech giants like Meta.
The documentary highlights the tragic case of 17-year-old Rohan Cosgriff, who was driven to suicide after being blackmailed by a Nigerian scammer.
The Australian Federal Police estimate that 3,000 such cases occur monthly, primarily targeting teenage boys. Greenhalgh’s investigation includes a journey to Lagos, Nigeria, to confront a sextortionist who explains the chilling methods used to exploit victims.
The Cosgriff family shares their story to raise awareness and prevent similar tragedies, emphasizing the urgent need for protection and support for teens against sextortion.
Sextortion Documentary Apr 29, 2024
7NEWS Spotlight’s bombshell investigation reveals the dark underbelly of social media sextortion and the role Meta and other tech giants play in taking responsibility for these scams. Rohan Cosgriff, 17, had everything to live for, but within hours of the Victorian teenager sharing an explicit photo on social media with a Nigerian scammer posing as a young, attractive girl, Rohan was blackmailed and pressured into taking his own life. In a major 7NEWS Spotlight investigation, award-winning investigative journalist Sarah Greenhalgh reveals the dark underbelly of social media.
The Australian Federal Police estimate that as many as 3,000 cases occur in our country every month, with teenage boys left ashamed and scared. What starts as a simple “hello” in a direct online message quickly escalates into a terrifying ordeal involving private photos and ruthless extortion. Like Rohan, some of these cases have tragic consequences. Determined to expose the criminals, Sarah travels 15,000km to Lagos, Nigeria, coming face-to-face with a sextortionist who explains in chilling detail how he and his colleagues target their victims. In a heart-wrenching interview, Rohan’s parents share their son’s story publicly for the first time. Recounting the tragic circumstances that led to his death, the Cosgriffs hope to prevent other Australian families experiencing the same tragedy.
Introduction to Sextortion Scams
Sextortion scams have become a prevalent and insidious threat to the world’s young men and women, teens, and even children. However, it also affects adults as well.
These scams exploit the vulnerability and trust of individuals by using intimate images or videos to extort money or other favors. Understanding how these scams operate, their impact on victims, and how to protect yourself is crucial in navigating the dangers of the online world.
If you are a victim of sextortion please visit www.ScamVictimsSupport.org right now!
What is Sextortion?
Sextortion is a form of blackmail where scammers threaten to release private, sensitive material unless the victim complies with their demands, which often involve money, further sexual content, or other forms of exploitation.
These scams can occur through various digital platforms, including social media, dating apps, and email.
In many cases they do not even need to receive intimate images, they can use AI Deep Fake tech to create images with the face of the victims that can be just as effective.
How Do Sextortion Scams Work?
Initial Contact: The scam often begins with the scammer contacting the victim through social media or dating sites, posing as someone interested in a relationship or friendship.
Building Trust: The scammer builds a rapport with the victim, gaining their trust over time. They may exchange intimate messages, photos, or videos.
The Threat: Once the scammer has obtained compromising material or created it use Deep Fake technology, they threaten to release it to the victim’s contacts or the public unless their demands are met.
Demands: The demands typically include money transfers, more explicit material, or other forms of compliance.
Impact on Victims
Sextortion can have severe emotional and psychological effects on victims. The fear of public humiliation, damage to personal relationships, and the anxiety of being continuously harassed can lead to significant stress and mental health issues. In extreme cases, the distress caused by sextortion has led to tragic outcomes, including suicide.
Protecting Yourself
Be Cautious Online: Be wary of sharing personal or intimate information with people you meet online. Verify their identity and be cautious about who you trust.
Privacy Settings: Use privacy settings on social media to control who can see your information and posts. Be mindful of what you share publicly.
Report Suspicious Activity: If you suspect you are being targeted by a sextortion scam, cease communication with the scammer immediately and report the incident to the platform or authorities.
Seek Support: If you become a victim of sextortion, seek support from trusted friends, family, or professional organizations that can provide guidance and assistance.
Get Help Now!
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or by dialing 988 or your national crisis hotline, or find phone numbers for crisis hotlines all around the world here: www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines
If you are a victim of sextortion please visit www.ScamVictimsSupport.org right now!
Learn More
To learn more about these crimes and how to help the victims go to www.ScamVictimsSupport.org
Remember
Sextortion scams are a malicious form of exploitation that prey on individuals’ fears and vulnerabilities. By understanding how these scams operate and taking proactive steps to protect yourself, you can reduce the risk of falling victim. If you are targeted, it’s essential to report the incident and seek support to navigate through this challenging experience. Learn more at www.ScamVictimsSupport.org
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Important Information for New Scam Victims
- Please visit www.ScamVictimsSupport.org – a SCARS Website for New Scam Victims & Sextortion Victims
- Enroll in FREE SCARS Scam Survivor’s School now at www.SCARSeducation.org
- Please visit www.ScamPsychology.org – to more fully understand the psychological concepts involved in scams and scam victim recovery
If you are looking for local trauma counselors please visit counseling.AgainstScams.org or join SCARS for our counseling/therapy benefit: membership.AgainstScams.org
If you need to speak with someone now, you can dial 988 or find phone numbers for crisis hotlines all around the world here: www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines
A Question of Trust
At the SCARS Institute, we invite you to do your own research on the topics we speak about and publish, Our team investigates the subject being discussed, especially when it comes to understanding the scam victims-survivors experience. You can do Google searches but in many cases, you will have to wade through scientific papers and studies. However, remember that biases and perspectives matter and influence the outcome. Regardless, we encourage you to explore these topics as thoroughly as you can for your own awareness.
More Sextortion Related Information:
- Know2Protect | Homeland Security (dhs.gov)
- Sextortion Victims Support – The Essentials – 2024 (scamvictimssupport.org)
- Sextortion: What Kids and Caregivers Need to Know — FBI
- Financially Motivated Sextortion — FBI
- Sextortion Q&A: What is Sextortion? (Spanish) — FBI
- Dealing with sexual extortion | eSafety Commissioner
- Sextortion: It’s more common than you think | ICE
- NCA issues urgent warning about ‘sextortion’ – National Crime Agency
- Online Harms: Sextortion – Cybertip.ca
- Sextortion – Netsafe – social media and online safety helpline
- Sextortion: What Parents Should Know (missingkids.org)
- Research Insights: Grooming and sextortion – Thorn
- NCIS Sextortion Brochure.pdf (marines.mil)
Statement About Victim Blaming
Some of our articles discuss various aspects of victims. This is both about better understanding victims (the science of victimology) and their behaviors and psychology. This helps us to educate victims/survivors about why these crimes happened and to not blame themselves, better develop recovery programs, and to help victims avoid scams in the future. At times this may sound like blaming the victim, but it does not blame scam victims, we are simply explaining the hows and whys of the experience victims have.
These articles, about the Psychology of Scams or Victim Psychology – meaning that all humans have psychological or cognitive characteristics in common that can either be exploited or work against us – help us all to understand the unique challenges victims face before, during, and after scams, fraud, or cybercrimes. These sometimes talk about some of the vulnerabilities the scammers exploit. Victims rarely have control of them or are even aware of them, until something like a scam happens and then they can learn how their mind works and how to overcome these mechanisms.
Articles like these help victims and others understand these processes and how to help prevent them from being exploited again or to help them recover more easily by understanding their post-scam behaviors. Learn more about the Psychology of Scams at www.ScamPsychology.org
SCARS Resources:
- Getting Started Right: ScamVictimsSupport.org
- Sextortion Scam Victims: Sextortion Victims Support – The Essentials (scamvictimssupport.org)
- For New Victims of Relationship Scams newvictim.AgainstScams.org
- Subscribe to SCARS Newsletter newsletter.againstscams.org
- Sign up for SCARS professional support & recovery groups, visit support.AgainstScams.org
- Join our Scam Survivors United Chat & Discussion Group facebook.com/groups/scam.survivors.united
- Find competent trauma counselors or therapists, visit counseling.AgainstScams.org
- Become a SCARS Member and get free counseling benefits, visit membership.AgainstScams.org
- Report each and every crime, learn how to at reporting.AgainstScams.org
- Learn more about Scams & Scammers at RomanceScamsNOW.com and ScamsNOW.com
- Scammer photos ScammerPhotos.com
- SCARS Videos youtube.AgainstScams.org
- Self-Help Books for Scam Victims are at shop.AgainstScams.org
- Worldwide Crisis Hotlines: https://blog.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines/
Other Cyber Resources
- Block Scam Domains: Quad9.net
- Global Cyber Alliance ACT Cybersecurity Tool Website: Actionable Cybersecurity Tools (ACT) (globalcyberalliance.org) https://act.globalcyberalliance.org/index.php/Actionable_Cybersecurity_Tools_(ACT)_-_Simplified_Cybersecurity_Protection
- Wizer Cybersecurity Training – Free Security Awareness Training, Phishing Simulation and Gamification (wizer-training.com)
Psychology Disclaimer:
All articles about psychology and the human brain on this website are for information & education only
The information provided in this article is intended for educational and self-help purposes only and should not be construed as a substitute for professional therapy or counseling.
While any self-help techniques outlined herein may be beneficial for scam victims seeking to recover from their experience and move towards recovery, it is important to consult with a qualified mental health professional before initiating any course of action. Each individual’s experience and needs are unique, and what works for one person may not be suitable for another.
Additionally, any approach may not be appropriate for individuals with certain pre-existing mental health conditions or trauma histories. It is advisable to seek guidance from a licensed therapist or counselor who can provide personalized support, guidance, and treatment tailored to your specific needs.
If you are experiencing significant distress or emotional difficulties related to a scam or other traumatic event, please consult your doctor or mental health provider for appropriate care and support.
Also read our SCARS Institute Statement about Professional Care for Scam Victims – click here to go to our ScamsNOW.com website.
If you are in crisis, feeling desperate, or in despair please call 988 or your local crisis hotline.
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- ScammerPhotos.com
- AnyScam.com – reporting
- AgainstScams.org – SCARS Corporate Website
- SCARS YouTube Video Channel
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