Online criminals target young people in ‘sadistic sextortion’ crimes [Video]

Parents are being warned children as young as 12 years are being targeted to produce extreme sexual and violent content over the internet.

The Australian Federal Police said today there are rising cases of “sadistic sextortion” involving young people.

Criminals are using social media and messaging services to coerce children and young adults into self-producing explicit material to gain acceptance into extreme online communities.

The offender will share the content with other members in the online group, who will attempt to extort the victim by threatening to send the material to their family or friends, unless the victim produces more videos and extreme content.

Soon, the victim will be pressured to supply more self-made shocking content, including specific live sex acts, animal cruelty, serious self-harm, and live online suicide.

In some cases the …