Scammers target young boys in Sweden with explicit photo threats

Scammers are increasingly targeting young boys with threats after convincing them to send explicit photos. Reports indicate a significant rise in these cases over the past year and a half, with incidents increasing from once a month to one or two times per week. Organizations like Ecpat Sweden are receiving weekly calls from boys aged 10 to 17 who have fallen victim to these tactics.

Law enforcement faces difficulties in addressing these extortion crimes, as many organized groups operate from countries with which Sweden lacks cooperation. The dispersal of investigations across various divisions within the police complicates the gathering of information and consistency regarding these cases.

Ecpat has urged the government to take action, similar to measures taken against fraud targeting the elderly. They emphasize that young boys are also vulnerable to these scams and require attention and resources to combat the issue effectively. Alarmingly, victims as young as 11 or 12 are targeted by criminals from around the world.

Both law enforcement and Ecpat acknowledge a significant underreporting of such crimes, stemming largely from the shame and guilt felt by victims. This silence contributes to a widespread problem, which has been described as “enormous.”

There are concerns that these extortion tactics could evolve, potentially coercing young boys into performing illegal activities for the perpetrators. Authorities warn that this could escalate the risks these children face in the digital landscape.