Sextortion is often when one person blackmails someone they befriended online for money after they secretly record intimate images of the victim.

These recordings take place during video chats where the offenders encourage the victims to perform explicit acts.

More often than not, one of the parties is not who he or she have portrayed themselves to be and demand payments under the threat to disseminate the photos/images or video across multiple social media platforms.

Detective Sergeant Craig Windebank from the Police Cybercrime Unit said sextortion cases were arduous and highly detrimental to the victim's life, regardless of age or gender.

"Sextortion is not something you want to fall victim to," Det Sgt Windebank said.

"The offenders are often not who they pretend to be, usually from another country and their demands don't stop after one payment, so victims could be paying offenders for weeks or months.

"In some cases the offender will alter the image to contain or allege the victim is involved in child abuse material or offending and the snap decision to get naked in a video chat can ruin your life."

What should you do if you are a victim to sextortion?

. Report it to police immediately at www.cyber.gov.au

. If you're concerned about your images being posted on the internet, go to the e-safety commissioner who can help remove images

. Don't make payments to the offender

. Report the image to the social media platform

. Don't engage further with the offender

. Don't take or provide any photos.

Further information and educational resources around online safety can be found via www.cyber.gov.au and www.esafety.gov.au

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