Urgent warning following internet blackmail scam.
Detectives in York have issued an urgent warning after three men from
the York area have been blackmailed by a woman claiming to be called
Cathy Wong.
The woman has befriended them on Facebook and asked them to skype her.
She has then enticed them into performing an indecent act which she has
recorded on video.
She has then told the men, who are all students, that her grandmother
is ill and needs money and has asked them each to send £3,000 via money
transfer.
When they refused to send the money, she has threatened them with uploading the video to Youtube.
It is believed that the scam is occurring world wide, however these are
the first cases reported in the York area. The men are not known to
each other and officers are concerned that there may be other victims.
Officers are exploring the possibility that the scam is operated by an
organised crime group.
Police are urging internet users, particularly students, to be on their
guard and to contact them if they believe they have been targeted.
Detective Sergeant Rebecca Dyer of York CID, said: “This scam is
causing considerable distress to the victims and I urge anyone who uses
any kind of social networking site to be very wary of what they are
getting into.
“I am concerned that there are other victims of this scam who are too
embarrassed to come forward about what has happened. I urge them to
please get in touch with the police. Your information will be dealt with
in the strictest confidence and with sensitivity. Please do not suffer
in silence.”
To report an incident, please contact North Yorkshire Police on 101,
select option 1 and pass information to the Force Control Room.
Or you can email Rebecca.dyer@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk
You can also pass information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
