Origin is the point or place where something begins, arises, or is derived. Historically, the Philippines has been the origin of some of the first documented sextortion cases. Ever since then they have become a hotspot for sextortion and are home to some of the most dangerous criminals in the world, with three recent cases making headlines in 2023. These real cases Highlight the dangers of dealing with Philippine sextortionists and the ways they can be identified.
Proceed with caution as we dive into these next three cases.
Philippines Sextortion Case #1
If you have been reading our articles and posts, you will note sextortion is becoming a growing problem. For our new readers out there, sextortion is a form of blackmail in which sexual images or videos are used to extract money or other favors from the victim.
In this first case, our client was chatting with what he thought was a woman he met off Ashley Madison. Right away he noticed they wanted to move platforms from Ashley Madison to Skype. Once this happened the Ashley Madison account suddenly disappeared. After explicit pictures and videos were exchanged the threats began. With each more gruesome than the next showing his wife’s Facebook profile, his work’s email, and even some of his private images photoshopped.
The threats continued late into the night. Panicked, the client reached out to Digital Investigation for help. While speaking with his lead investigator, they knew right away who they were dealing with. A few key things the investigator noted are based on hundreds of documented cases like these where Skype and Ashley Madison are the two biggest platforms that the Philippines like to troll.
Because of the previous conversation, common things like counting down and using words in all caps which was another flag for knowing that the perp was most likely located in the Philippines. With this key information, Digital Investigation went in and tracked the perpetrator and sent a cease and desist. Once sent, the suspect complied and deleted all of the photos and videos.
Philippines Sextortion Case #2
This next case started with a client receiving a random flirty text message with a picture claiming to be someone she met at a bar. Noticing they had a +63 in front of their number she responded by saying “You have the wrong number”.
The number messaged back asking “Whose number did this belong to?” and well, you can guess what happened next. Flirty conversations ensued until they started exchanging explicit photos. Once this happened the conversation took a dramatic turn.
Threats started, one by one asking for her to send money through PayPal. After then posting her private content on YouTube, they created a website demanding that she pay now or they won’t take her private content.
Filled with fear she went online looking for help, not wasting one minute. She found a company called Digital Investigation. She was a little unsure at first but then she was assigned a Case Manager and an Analyst.
Right away they removed the website and YouTube video the sextortionist posted. They also ran the phone number that was sending the threats and noticed the country code they were using was from the Philippines and it was a real phone number.
Real phone numbers are associated with Mobile Carriers and hold very useful information for the investigation. The team came in and tracked the suspect using superior technology, found their location, and even obtained the suspect’s ID through a fake money transfer.
Once the sextortionist was aware of Digital Investigation they blocked the client and never reached out again.
Philippines Sextortion Case #3
In this last case, we are going to cover, viewer discretion is advised. It’s noted that the client was underage and was talking to someone he had met off Discord.
The friend he was chatting with was a Discord sextortionist in disguise.
A sextortionist has no age limits and has been known to prey on children. Unknowingly they sent the sextortionist private photos and videos. Instantly intimidation and threats arose, and the client was pleading saying he was underage and they are soliciting a minor.
The sextortionist was demanding money to be sent through MoneyGram or all of his images were going to be exposed on Discord.
Scared the teenager reached out to his parents for help. The parents promptly reached out to the Police but because overseas internet crimes often slip under the radar, the police recommended they reach out to Digital Investigation.
Within minutes of reaching out to Digital Investigation, their case was started. The analyst knew right away the suspect was most likely from the Philippines due to the Platform Discord and the payment information received from the suspect through Moneygram. It’s noted that usually the Philippines often demand payment through, PayPal, MoneyGram, and Western Union.
Once all the information was obtained the forensics analyst got to work, taking over his discord account and tracking the criminal. Once they had everything, they needed, Digital Investigation struck.
With the sextortionist backed into a corner, they complied and the client’s private content was removed.
Conclusion
Philippine sextortionists are some of the most dangerous criminals out there. With no regard for age, gender, or basic humanity.
What do all these cases have in common, they got help. They didn’t try and take on the Sextortionist alone.
Digital Investigation is one of the multiple companies you can go to for help. Remember you are not alone in this.
All of this information was taken directly from case files from real people that went through these real events, names were removed to protect anonymity. Make sure you talk to someone. If you or someone you know has been through sextortion, comment below. Share your story. If you become a victim of sextortion, don’t hesitate, report online sextortion to sextortion helpline
