Nationwide has issued an urgent warning to customers about a significant rise in 'sextortion' scams, particularly targeting young men. The building society's analysis of 50 real cases reveals that men in their twenties are most at risk, with 47% of victims aged 20 to 29 and a staggering 98% identified as male. Victims ranged from just 13 to 70 years old, with an average age of 25.
How the Scam Works
Scammers typically contact victims through dating apps or social media, building trust before moving conversations to private messaging apps. Once intimate images or personal information is shared, the fraudster demands payment under threat of exposure.
In one case, a victim named 'Sean' connected with someone on Tinder and developed an online relationship. After exchanging images and video calls, he received a threatening phone call demanding payment. The scammer directed him to download payment apps and share his screen via WhatsApp and Instagram, leading to further demands.
Another victim, 'Harrison', was approached on Instagram by someone pretending to be a young girl. After being persuaded to share intimate images, the scammer accessed his account and threatened to publish the pictures unless he purchased Apple gift cards. Harrison eventually told his father, who contacted the police.
Young People at Risk
Independent polling of over 2,000 people shows concern is highest among younger generations. About 71% of 16–24-year-olds worry about young people sharing intimate images, compared with 61% across all age groups. This concern may reflect personal experience: among secondary school and university students, 23% reported falling victim to scams, and over half (54%) believe fraud has become harder to spot.
Risky online behaviour is also common among this demographic: 17% admitted sharing intimate images, and 26% revealed private information.
Nationwide's Urgent Safety Advice
Jim Winters, head of economic crime at Nationwide, said: 'These cases illustrate how scammers exploit vulnerability, urgency, and shame, especially among younger people who may have limited experience with fraud or feel too embarrassed to ask for help early.'
Nationwide has issued four key instructions to help customers protect themselves:
- Do not share intimate images or personal details – once sent, they can be used against you.
- Never switch platforms at someone else's request – scammers try to move chats to less secure apps.
- Do not send money, gift cards or codes – paying once often leads to more demands.
- Watch out for pressure tactics – fraudsters create urgency to stop you thinking clearly.
The building society warned that shame is one of the scammers' most powerful tools, keeping victims silent while demands escalate. As fraudsters become more sophisticated, the message is clear: once images or personal information are shared, the consequences can spiral rapidly, causing devastation far beyond financial loss.
