Hanoi police reported on 29/7 that numerous accounts using profile pictures of attractive, provocatively dressed young women have recently appeared on social media platforms like Facebook and Telegram. These accounts initiate conversations with young men and lure them into online sex chats.

During these chats, the perpetrators secretly record the interaction. Using the compromising footage, they threaten to share it with the victims' friends, family, and colleagues unless they receive payment.

After receiving the initial payment, the perpetrators often demand additional funds, increasing the amount with each demand. They continue to pressure the victims until they are financially drained.

Despite the substantial financial losses, police believe many victims are too embarrassed and concerned about reputational damage to report the incidents to authorities.

A threatening message sent to a victim. Photo: Provided by the police

This is not a new tactic, but many still fall prey due to curiosity and naivete. In a notable case, Quang Ninh provincial police busted a group led by Nguyen Ngoc Hai and 14 others in late 2024. The group used fake profiles to post pornographic content, solicit friend requests, lure victims into sex chats, and then extort them.

Using the victims' phone numbers, the group searched for their relatives on Facebook. They then threatened to send the recorded clips to the victims' families unless they paid. Police determined that Hai's group extorted money from over 500 people nationwide, amassing an estimated 4 billion VND.