Eight men in Durban fell victim to a sextortion (nude blackmail) scam on Facebook. The scammers created fake profiles posing as an attractive single woman. They:
- Sent friend requests.
- Engaged in brief, flirtatious conversations.
- Asked for the victims’ WhatsApp numbers.
- Built some rapport before requesting or exchanging explicit/nude images.
- Once they had the compromising photos, they demanded large sums of money (blackmail/extortion), threatening to distribute the images to the victims’ family, friends, colleagues, or publicly.
The victims included professionals such as:
- A businessman
- Medical professionals
- Educators
- A lawyer
They reportedly approached Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) for assistance.
Common Pattern in These Scams
This is a classic sextortion tactic, often linked to organized groups (frequently associated with “Yahoo Boys” networks from West Africa, though local variants exist in South Africa too). Similar incidents have been reported in Durban and South Africa for years.
Scammers don’t always need real-time interaction — they may use stolen photos, AI-generated images, or multiple fake accounts. Once they have even one explicit image, the pressure escalates quickly with threats.
Advice If You’re Targeted
- Do not send nude or explicit images to anyone you haven’t met in person and verified.
- Do not pay — paying often leads to more demands.
- Block and report the account on the platform.
- Report to the police (in South Africa, via SAPS or cybercrime units) and organizations like RUSA.
- Consider telling a trusted person — shame is what scammers rely on.
If this is affecting you personally, contact local authorities or support services immediately. These scams prey on normal human impulses but are purely criminal.
