More than 2,200 complaints of sexual extortion were reported to Australia's eSafety Commissioner in the six months leading up to December 2025, with young men aged 18 to 24 making up the largest group at 803 complaints [1, 2, 3]. Children under 15 also faced threats, with 186 complaints from boys and 58 from girls during the same period [1, 2, 3].
Perpetrators lure victims into sharing intimate photos on platforms including Instagram, WhatsApp, and TikTok, then demand money threatening to expose those images unless paid [1, 2, 3]. Instagram and WhatsApp are the most commonly named platforms in these complaints, while TikTok is often reported by children as the initial contact platform [1, 2, 3].
A 16-year-old victim named Sam was targeted first on Instagram then contacted on WhatsApp, where he was asked to pay 200 USD after sharing a nude photo [1, 3]. The eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, described the methods as high-pressure tactics designed for quick financial gain that cause severe stress and financial harm. She said, "The goal is often quick financial gain, with perpetrators using high-pressure tactics to force victims into paying. This form of extortion can cause high levels of stress, panic, psychological distress and financial loss." [1]
Inman Grant also noted the use of similar scripts and imagery across multiple cases, adding that platforms should have the ability to detect these patterns but face challenges, especially due to encryption [3]. Encrypted private messages complicate detection efforts, but Meta announced in March 2026 it would remove encryption from Instagram private messages, potentially allowing better oversight [3].
The issue was publicly raised in July 2025 by the eSafety Commissioner, emphasizing the growing threat of online sexual extortion targeting young Australian males [1, 3].
Authorities continue to urge platforms to enhance protections and improve their response to abuse reports as the volume of complaints rises.
