Cambridgeshire: Police are hunting sexy female blackmailers who persuaded men to strip naked online - and then threatened to expose them to friends and family on Facebook.
Detectives believe dozens of men have fallen victim to the scam after being befriended by women on dating sites such as Tinder and Badoo.
The victims are asked to engage in an online relationship by the blackmailers and persuaded to use webcams on Skype.
Cambridgeshire Police say the temptresses behave in a “sexual way” and remove their clothes in a bid to make the men do the same.
But the mystery women than blackmail their victims for thousands of pounds by threatening to put a video recording of them on social media.
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Police have been contacted by four men who fell for the scam but fear dozens more are too ashamed to come forward.
Det Sgt Peter Church said: “They film the men and then start asking for money or they will post the video to their friends on Facebook or other social media.
“At first they can ask for a few hundred pounds but then keep coming back to ask for more money. The largest amount handed over so far is £3,000.
“My advice would be to not put yourself in that position in the first place and don’t allow anyone to film you in a way you would not want to be made public.
“Also make sure your privacy settings are strong. If you are approached do not hand over any money and contact the police.
“None of the blackmailers have followed through with the threat.”
A similar scam where women blackmailed 50 victims was rumbled by police in Singapore, and French police reported a similar con in 2012.
