WASHINGTON – The University of Maryland Police Department is investigating an extortion case that involves nude photos of a college student.
The student, from the College Park campus, told police that during an online video chat with someone on Saturday, the other person started removing her clothing. So he did the same.
Later that evening, he received a demand for money. The extortionist threatened that they would post nude images of him from the chat on Facebook if he didn’t pay up.
Police said the victim sent the scammer an undisclosed amount of money before reporting the incident to police on Sunday.
It’s not clear whether the victim and scammer knew each other prior to the incident, but UMPD spokesman Maj. Marc Limansky said investigators believe the scam may have originated in the Philippines.
“I think [the extortionists] are just searching for anyone who takes the bait, so to speak,” he said.
He is urging anyone who has information about this case to contact them.
“Never divulge personal information including images – nude or otherwise – to individuals that are not known to you,” Limansky said. “Certainly, if you are a victim of some type of extortion attempt over the internet or some other way over the phone, please contact your local police department immediately.”
