University of Delaware Police investigates 'sextortion' case. How can you stay safe?

Maybe they messaged out of the blue.

Maybe someone approached online, starting a conversation, trying to befriend you. Either way, they start encouraging you to jump on a video chat or exchange photos. Maybe they've gotten to know you, maybe they haven't. But quickly, explicit calls and sexual images are being sought.

Once the solicitor has that, it begins.

"Sextortion" is a cyber crime wherein a victim shares intimate photos or videos with another person online — only to later be threatened with public exposure if they don't pay up. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, cases like these have been swelling across the country .

It can start on any site, app, messaging platform or even game where people meet and communicate. Sometimes, the very first contact might be the threat itself, claiming to already have sensitive photos or footage. More often, according to the FBI, it's young people who believe they're talking to someone interested in them, yet its someone who has deceived or manipulated them.

One recent victim came within Delaware's largest university.

UD notified its university community of a "Jeanne Clery Act stalking," in this case extortion via social media, in a crime alert at 2:48 a.m. Tuesday. University of Delaware Police has offered available resources to the student, UD told Delaware Online/The News Journal on Wednesday morning, since the reporting Monday.

"Colleges and universities around the country are experiencing cases similar to this," the university wrote in a statement. "UD Police reminds members of the university community to practice diligence in all social media correspondence and activity as a means of protection against digital extortion."

UD said police are still investigating the incident this week.

It's not the first.

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Advice on protecting yourself from social media extortion

Back in September 2023, university police compiled information about sextortion and how to avoid falling in its traps in light of a different incident.

Police noted that victims who comply with initial demands for money are often just asked for more. If you or someone you know experiences this, police said to cease (and save) all communications with the perpetrator.

Then, call police.

"The shame, fear and confusion children feel when they are caught in this cycle often prevents them from asking for help or reporting the abuse," the FBI writes on its webpage about sextortion crimes , having launched an awareness campaign in 2019. "Caregivers and young people should understand how the crime occurs and openly discuss online safety."

Red flags said to watch , per UDPD:

• Someone you don’t know approaches you online or attempts to “friend” you and almost immediately encourages engagement in explicit video chat or to exchange sexually explicit images.
• Messages use poor grammar and sentence structure.
• A call begins with the person partially dressed or engaging in a sexual act.

How to protect yourself :

• Refrain from engaging in sexually explicit activities online, such as posting or exchanging compromising photos or videos, especially with someone you have never met.
• Make sure your social media privacy settings and accounts limit information available to unknown persons.
• Be cautious about accepting follow requests or communicating with any unknown individuals online.
• Turn off electronic devices and cover webcams when you’re not using them.
• Safeguard your personal banking and credit card information from unknown recipients.
• Update your antivirus software and avoid downloading apps, files or email attachments from unverified sources.

"Trust your instincts," UDPD wrote. "If you have suspicions about the person you’re communicating with, stop your contact."

UD victim and crisis support is available 24/7 by calling the UD Helpline at 302-831-1001 and pressing “1.” More information is available online .

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Got a story? Contact Kelly Powers at kepowers@gannett.com or (231) 622-2191, and follow her on X @kpowers01.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: University of Delaware Police investigates 'sextortion' case. How can you stay safe?