Dozens of Young Men Blackmailed After Being Lured Into Explicit Chats Online

Authorities in Hanoi have issued a public warning following a surge in blackmail cases involving young men who were tricked into sexually explicit online conversations with fake social media profiles posing as attractive women.

On July 29, Hanoi police reported that numerous accounts on platforms such as Facebook and Telegram have recently surfaced, using profile pictures of young, attractive women in provocative attire. These accounts actively initiate contact with male users, attempting to lure them into sexually explicit conversations or “chat sex” exchanges.

During these chats, the perpetrators secretly record the screen, capturing sensitive and compromising images of the victim. The criminals then threaten to release the footage to the victim’s friends, family members, or colleagues unless they transfer money.

Even after victims comply and send money, the blackmail does not end. The perpetrators continue to demand additional payments, often increasing the amount each time. Victims are pressured until they can no longer meet the financial demands.

Police noted that although many victims lose substantial sums of money, few come forward due to feelings of shame or fear of reputational damage.

Authorities emphasized that this is not a new tactic, but continues to claim victims due to curiosity, naivety, or lack of awareness. A similar large-scale case was dismantled in late 2024 by police in Quang Ninh Province, involving a criminal ring led by Nguyen Ngoc Hai and 14 accomplices.

That group used fake images to post sexually suggestive content online, encouraging people to befriend them and engage in explicit chats. Once recordings were made, the criminals used victims’ phone numbers to trace their relatives via Facebook and threatened to expose the footage unless money was sent.

Investigators concluded that the ring had extorted more than 500 victims nationwide, collecting over VND 4 billion (approximately USD 160,000).

Hanoi police urge the public—particularly young men—to exercise caution when engaging with unfamiliar social media accounts, especially those exhibiting suspicious behavior. Victims are encouraged to report incidents promptly to the authorities for protection and investigation.

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Source: Vietnam Insider