WEST Mercia Police has urged Malvern residents to be careful around how they conduct themselves online after recent reports of a distressing scam involving webcams.
The scam typically involves an offender, who normally purports to be an attractive young woman, adding potential victims on Facebook, Skype or via an internet chat room.
The offender will then engage in conversation with the victim before offering to perform a sexual act via webcam.
Normally a man, the victim will then be encouraged to reciprocate believing it is only for the view of their new ‘friend’.
However, the offender will actually be recording it and they will then play the video to the victim or publish it online with a link for him to view it.
The offender will then threaten to publish the footage online or send it to the victim’s friends and family unless he pays a certain amount of money.
It is believed the blackmailers are often living overseas and request a payment via Western Union.
A spokesman from West Mercia Police said: “These sorts of scams can cause a huge amount of distress to the victims and their loved ones and West Mercia Police would urge people to always consider how well they really know and trust someone who they have only communicated with over the internet.
“Always be careful about who you engage with and think very carefully about what you are being asked to do. Always consider what the potential outcome could be.”
Anyone who feels in danger or is a victim of this crime, should call 101 and report it to police.
