Sextortion syndicates are again targeting South Africans, with men and teenagers among those being trapped through social media, adult websites and in-person encounters.

Private investigator Brad Nathanson said the scams have become a growing part of his workload, with victims contacting him almost daily after being threatened by extortionists.

The scams rely on fear, secrecy and shame. Victims are pushed into paying money to stop private messages, pictures or personal details from being exposed.

Some victims lose a few thousand rand. Others lose far more. Nathanson said one businessman paid R650 000 in R50 000 amounts before finally seeking help.

How Victims are Targeted

According to Nathanson, many victims are first approached through adult websites or classified ads. They often believe they are speaking to genuine sex workers or women looking for companionship.

In some cases, the scam stays online. In others, it moves into real-world encounters.

Nathanson said victims may later be told they owe more money, with claims that a card payment failed or that the price suddenly changed.

From there, threats can escalate fast. Victims may be warned that their spouse, family or employer will be contacted.

He said some criminals also use personal information, including number plates, identity details and addresses, to make the threat feel more serious.

Teenagers are Also Being Trapped

Teenagers are also being targeted, mainly through WhatsApp, Instagram and other messaging platforms.

Nathanson said he recently dealt with a teenage boy who thought he was speaking to a young woman online.

The boy later discovered he had allegedly been communicating with a man. Intimate pictures were then used in an attempted extortion scheme.

The threats became so serious that the teenager lived in fear of being exposed and physically harmed.

Why Victims Stay Silent

Nathanson said many victims struggle to report sextortion because they feel embarrassed.

He said scammers know this and use it against them.

Victims may also fear that police or investigators will need to see the very messages or pictures they want to keep private.

Nathanson warned that paying does not end the problem.

“The minute you start paying, it’s like blood in the water. They don’t stop,” he said.

He advised victims to cut communication immediately and avoid engaging with unsolicited messages from strangers online.