Conned into appearing naked on video after sexy chats

 

At least 367 men in Johor have fallen victim to a scam in which they were tricked into appearing naked on video.

PETALING JAYA: It starts with an innocuous conversation between two strangers via a messaging chat. Then it gets steamy. She asks if he wants to see her unfolding her dress, bit by bit. He says yes – but she says he must do the same via a video call.

That’s when the trouble starts.

The following day, she calls him asking for some “pocket money”, otherwise a recording of him naked would be leaked.

Realising he’s now in trouble and to protect his image, he agrees to fulfill her demand. The problem is she keeps asking for more money, squeezing him dry.

While this may sound like one man’s misfortune, it is not that uncommon. In Johor alone, 367 people, aged 20 to 40, have lodged reports since January after falling prey to such “sexting” extortion schemes.

These cases involve losses of between RM500,000 to RM1 million, and Johor police chief Kamarul Zaman Mamat believes there are more victims yet to lodge a report.

“Those who stepped forward couldn’t take it after the perpetrators repeatedly extorted them despite complying with the initial demand for money,” he told FMT.

He said victims should not feel ashamed about coming forward to lodge a report, as investigations are confidential.

So far, police have foiled at least one syndicate after arresting four people in Penang, Selangor, and Johor.

Kamarul said the syndicates would use a beautiful woman to engage in lengthy conversations with the victims before talking about sex.

“An accomplice would hide outside the camera frame to record the video of victims naked,” he said.

Kamarul said that what made the victims easy targets was their use of chat applications such as Wechat and Michat often used by those who enjoy “sexting”, the act of sending sexually explicit messages, photos, or videos via cell phone, computer, or any digital device.

Criminologist and psychologist Geshina Ayu Mat Saat said such cases ultimately boil down to a lack of self-control, though it is important to understand the criminals’ “playbook” to avoid becoming a victim.

Geshina, who is with Universiti Sains Malaysia, said the syndicates aim to exploit the sexual desires of their victims and manipulate them into fulfilling their visceral needs.

She said people must also beware of giving out personal information and letting their guard down just because the person on the other end of the line is agreeable to suggestions.

“The syndicates use this ‘mirroring’ technique to encourage the victims to participate in a certain activity together, for instance, sharing naked pictures,” she said. - FMT