Sextortion scammers target Boomers
Cyber experts have detected an increase in insidious forms of online blackmail. Here’s what to do to protect yourself.
Keep safe from scams
National Seniors Australia’s Keep Scam SAFE website contains important resources to help inform older Australians about the risk presented by cybercriminals.
The site includes printable information about various scams, how to detect them, and what to do if you become a victim.
Cybercriminals have begun targetting older Australians with “sextortion” scams, where they threaten to release compromising images or videos unless a ransom is paid.
These emotionally manipulative schemes, originally directed towards teenagers, are becoming more common and more sophisticated.
According to a recent report by Australian technology news website CyberShack, sextortion attempts have surged and now account for more than 30% of well-known personal scams.These scams often involve emails where criminals claim to have accessed the victim’s laptop or phone and have used the camera in the device to record private sexual activity.
They threaten to share this content online unless a payment is made, typically in difficult-to-trace cryptocurrency.
What makes these scams particularly alarming is the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to personalise the attacks. Scammers can extract personal information from data breaches – such as names, birthdates, and even passwords – to create convincing messages that appear legitimate.
This level of detail can make the threats seem credible, increasing the likelihood of victims complying with the demands.
While young people have traditionally been the primary targets, seniors are now increasingly at risk.
Amy Nofziger, director of fraud victim support at AARP (previously known as the American Association of Retired Persons), notes that her organisation has received a steady stream of calls from older sextortion victims.
Examples in the United States include that of a man who sent naked photographs of himself to a potential online love interest, who turned out to be a scammer. The situation escalated when another extortionist claiming to be a police officer threaten to prosecute the victim unless a payment was made.
The phenomenon of “image-based abuse” is being investigated by a team at RMIT University in Melbourne.
Lead researcher Professor Nicola Henry defines sextortion as “making threats to share nude or sexual photos or videos to coerce the victim into complying with certain behavioral or financial demands”.
She said, “Sextortion is an evolving and pernicious form of image-based abuse … that happens against children, against adolescents and against adults — including adults over age 50.”
Experts warn that the emotional impact on seniors can be profound, leading to feelings of shame and fear, which may prevent them from seeking help.
The issue has gained attention in this part of the world following a significant cyber scam operation uncovered in Manila, the Philippines, which targeted thousands of Australian men through online dating scams.
The Australian Federal Police’s Operation Firestorm revealed that these scams often lure victims into fake investment opportunities, resulting in substantial financial losses.
Here are some tips to help protecting yourself and your loved ones:
Don’t share: If you have photographs or videos of yourself that you don’t want to be made public, don’t share them online, even through private messaging or email.
Be skeptical of unsolicited emails: If you receive an email claiming to have compromising information or demanding payment, do not respond or click on any links.
Verify personal information: Scammers may use personal details to make their threats seem credible. Remember that this information can be obtained from previous data breaches and does not necessarily mean your device has been compromised.
Report the incident: Report scams to the Australian Cyber Security Centre at cyber.gov.au. Reporting helps authorities track and combat these crimes.
Educate and communicate: Discuss online safety with family members, especially older adults who may be less familiar with digital threats. Encourage open conversations about suspicious messages or emails.
Related reading: Cybershack, Microsoft, AARP, The Australian
