Online extortion: Fedpol warns of danger to children in Switzerland
The Federal Office of Police (Fedpol) is currently warning of a dangerous trend on the internet. Criminals are increasingly attempting to gain the trust of children and teenagers on social networks in order to subsequently blackmail them. In doing so, the victims are forced to carry out brutal acts or film themselves.
The perpetrators act very skillfully. They often pose as peers and build a friendly relationship with the children over several weeks. As soon as a certain level of trust is established, they ask the children to send private or compromising photos and videos. The perpetrators then use these recordings to put the victims under pressure and force them into further, often violent, acts.
In Switzerland, 20 such cases have already been officially confirmed. However, the authorities assume a high number of unreported cases, as many affected children are too ashamed to talk to their parents or teachers about it. The police emphasize that the perpetrators often operate from abroad, which complicates investigations.
Experts urgently advise parents to talk to their children. It is important that children learn not to share private information or images with strangers on the internet. In addition, parents should monitor their children's activities on social media and seek help immediately from counseling centers or the police if there are signs of fear or changes in behavior.