On Thursday, August 7, Alameda Police Department [1] (APD) issued a Scam Advisory about a growing extortion scam that often begins with scammers reaching out to victims through social media or dating apps.
[2]“After establishing a connection, the scammer typically tries to move the conversation to text messages or another platform,” APD warned in a post on its official Facebook [3] page. “What starts as a casual exchange can quickly become inappropriate.”
The scammer will ask to see explicit images and then, once the images are obtained from the victim, the scammer demands money in exchange for keeping the content private.
“To increase pressure, they may send screenshots of the victim’s follower list as a scare tactic,” the APD warning stated. This scam is occurring nationwide, including cases that have been reported in Alameda, according to APD.
APD Tips
How to reduce the risk of being victimized:
- Never share explicit images online or through text messages.
- Be cautious of anyone pushing to move conversations to different platforms.
- Limit who can see your posts and restrict messages from unknown parties.
- Block and report suspicious accounts.
- If targeted, never pay the scammer, and report the incident to APD immediately.
“Anyone can be targeted, but teens and young adults are especially at risk. We encourage parents and guardians to talk to their children about online safety,” APD stated. “These types of situations can weigh heavily on our youth’s mental health. Honest conversations can help others know they have someone to turn to if they find themselves in this situation.”
Comments from the community
Several individuals posted comments about scams they have recently experienced.
One commenter stated that she does not use social media sites but has “received emails indicating that they have such pictures of me.” APD responded, “We can look into making a future post” about this and other scams, such as unpaid warrants.
Another commenter said she had received a text claiming to be from the DMV about an unpaid ticket, which she did not have. APD responded, “Yes, similar to Fastrak text messages. If you are ever unsure, we always recommend calling the phone number listed on the actual business’ website to verify. Never call from the number they provide.”
How to contact APD
To report a NON-emergency situation, call 510-337-8340.
To report an emergency, dial 911.