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Cited by 11Cybercrime and Law Enforcement StudiesStalking, Cyberstalking, and HarassmentCrime, Illicit Activities, and Governance

Online sextortion: Characteristics of offences from a decade of community reporting

Open access
Edwards, Matthew, Hollely, Nick M.·2023·Journal of Economic Criminology
DOI 10.1016/j.jeconc.2023.100038
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Abstract

Online sextortion is an organised form of blackmail which can have a serious financial and traumatic impact on its victims. Responding to a dearth of evidence about this crime, this study analyses patterns within a large dataset of over 23,000 anonymous victim reports, collected via an online support community. Using common responses within these reports, this study identifies the most typical patterns of offending, including the profile assumed by offenders, the platforms through which the offence is initiated and enabled, payment methods and amounts demanded, and the national origins of most offences. Analysis shows that the mix of social media and dating platforms being used to approach and communicate with victims is changing over time, but the tactics employed by offenders are remarkably standardised. Payment demands involved in the crime were previously centralised in a few key service providers, but are increasingly diversifying. The variety of platforms involved in online sextortion points towards enforcement and safeguarding challenges, motivating an analysis of common risk factors that can inform the design of broadly-applicable countermeasures.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.jeconc.2023.100038

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  • Sextortion operations by organized crime groups often lure men into online sexual encounters, secretly record the activity, and threaten exposure unless monetary ransoms are paid.

    “These operations often lure men into online sexual encounters, secretly record the activity, and subsequently threaten exposure unless monetary ransoms are paid (Edwards & Hollely, 2023).”

    From Sextortion: A Scoping Review (2025) · cites this paper as Edwards & Hollely, 2023

  • Perpetrators may adopt deceptive online identities to initiate romantic relationships and later exploit the emotional connection for financial gain once trust is established.

    “Moreover, perpetrators may adopt deceptive online identities to initiate romantic relationships, later exploiting the emotional connection for financial gain once trust is established (Cross et al., 2023; Edwards & Hollely, 2023; Whitty & Buchanan, 2012).”

    From Sextortion: A Scoping Review (2025) · cites this paper as Edwards & Hollely, 2023

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Authors
Edwards, M., & Hollely, N. M.
Affiliations
University of Bristol (GB)
Corresponding author
Edwards, Matthew
ORCID
Edwards, Matthew
Venue
Journal of Economic Criminology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2023-12
Volume
2
Pages
100038
ISSN
2949-7914 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.jeconc.2023.100038
OpenAlex
W4388461209
Cited by
11
References
28
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 5
FWCI
2.60
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Journal of Economic Criminology (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Bristol Research (University of Bristol) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • Explore Bristol Research (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
  • National Research Centre
  • UK Research and Innovation (EP/V011189/1)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Information Systems › Cybercrime and Law Enforcement Studies
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Stalking, Cyberstalking, and Harassment
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Crime, Illicit Activities, and Governance
Keywords
extortion, anonymous reporting, online support groups, criminal profiling, social networking sites, dating apps, payment methods, financial demand, risk factors, countermeasures, cybercrime

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