Mystery 'young attractive woman' gets men to do sex acts on Skype - then blackmails them

The culprit threatens to share the videos with the victims’ friends and families if they refuse to give her money

The criminal uses Skype to chat with her victims. ((Photo Illustration by Mario Tama/Getty Images))

A mystery “young attractive woman” is encouraging men to perform sex acts on Skype and then blackmailing them.

There have been 20 reports so far this year where men aged between 17 and 36 have been targeted, according to the Herts & Essex Observer.

The unknown woman approaches her victims on social media and invites them to an online video chat via Skype, where she encourages them to perform a sexual act while she watches.

She then threatens to share the video with the victims’ friends and families if they don’t give her money.

Some of the men have reportedly paid up to £500 to the cyber criminal, according to the paper.

Detective Inspector John Hazeldine, who leads the local crime unit at Hatfield police station, said: "This is a scam which we believe is taking place across the country and not confined to Herts.

“It is important that young men are made aware that this is taking place so they don't fall victim.

"I'd urge anyone faced with a similar approach not to engage in such activity."