The benefits of technology are undeniable – instant communication and convenience, to name a few. But with it comes the rise of dangerous activities. Among the most malicious crimes is sextortion, which is prevalent in the Philippines. In this blog post, we will delve deeper into the alarming trend of online sextortion in the Philippines and tell you real-life cases from our experts at Cyber Investigation.
Philippines Sextortion Case #1
Sextortion is a rising issue, as you have probably gathered from our recent articles. For those unfamiliar with the term, it is a type of exploitation in which a perpetrator threatens to distribute sexual images or videos unless demands, typically financial, are met.
The first case we will discuss took place in July 2021; a young man thought he was talking with a woman from his college via Skype. The conversation quickly moved to a more intimate scenario, and you could get what happened next.
Sexual photos and videos were exchanged, drastically moving the conversation to threats. One after another, more gruesome than the next demanding money to be paid immediately and starting to countdown, or the images would be sent to his friends and family.
The client was in a state of panic when he approached Cyber Investigation for assistance. During his conversation with the lead investigator, it became apparent that this case had occurred in the Philippines, like others. Due to the details previously discussed, such as the utilization of countdowns and capitalized words, we were able to identify the transgressor in question.
Crucial knowledge allowed us to engage in Digital Investigation and track the perpetrator to ultimately deliver a cease and desist. Upon receiving notice, the suspect fully complied and effectively erased all photos and videos.
Philippines Sextortion Case #2
As we proceed with this case, we will note that the client is a minor and that sextortion is not an age-dependent act. The story begins on the popular Discord app. The individual he was chatting with turned out to be a criminal in disguise.
The adolescent was unaware that he had shared inappropriate photos and videos with the perpetrator. Shortly after, the offender threatened to reveal his pictures and demanded payment via MoneyGram. The juvenile was terrified and sought his parents’ help. Although legal cases concerning offshore internet crimes frequently go unnoticed, contacting Digital Investigations was advised.
Once Digital Investigation received the request for aid, they quickly began the case proceedings. Due to Discord being the platform used by the offender and the payment details, which were gathered through MoneyGram, the analyst presumed that the assailant was probably from the Philippines. It is crucial to mention that perpetrators typically use PayPal, MoneyGram, and Western Union for fund transfers.
The forensic analyst took over the offender’s Discord account after gathering all the data required and successfully located the attacker before taking the required actions.
Philippines Sextortion Case #3
The last case in question centers around an unsuspecting client who received an unsolicited flirty message from a number with the country code +63 containing just a photo. After the recipient responded with a brief note explaining their mistake, they began to converse with the unknown sender.
As the conversation continued, trust seemed to lead to sexually explicit information being shared. Once the criminal obtained the private photos, the payment demands via PayPal began. When the money was sent, things took an even more severe and alarming twist when the recipient’s personal content was posted on YouTube, and a website was created to extort payment for it.
With the never-ending cycle taking complete control of every move, she decided she needed to seek out help. Frantically searched for assistance, eventually discovering Cyber Investigation. A Case Manager and an Analyst were quickly assigned to her case, and the process of righting the situation and providing support began in earnest.
Our team swiftly removed the website and YouTube video the sextortionist posted. During this process, they traced the associated phone number and discovered it was a genuine one with a Philippine country code. This led the team to believe that the suspect was based in that country, and using advanced technology, they were able to track their location and even obtain the suspect’s ID through a well-executed fake money transfer.
Notably, mobile carriers hold valuable information for such investigations, which proved pivotal in this case. The team’s proficiency allowed them to detect and shut down the perpetrator, ultimately causing them to terminate contact with the criminal altogether.
Conclusion
The rise of sextortion cases in the Philippines is a severe concern that affects not only the victims but also their families and communities. It is essential to stay informed and proactive in protecting yourself from becoming a victim.
One way to do this is to avoid sharing your personal and intimate videos and images online. Also, strengthen your cybersecurity by using strong passwords and keeping your antivirus software up-to-date. Finally, if you encounter sextortion cases, report them immediately to the authorities. Together, we can combat sextortion and make the internet a safer place.
We have gathered real stories of people who have lived through the horrors of sextortion. We have anonymized case files to protect identities and directly shared their experiences with you. We believe that talking to someone can make a difference, so if you or someone you know is struggling with sextortion, share your story below in the comments. And remember, if you or someone you know is a victim of sextortion, do not hesitate – to report it now to the Sextortion Helpline.
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