EXTORTION cases where people are blackmailed online over intimate or compromising images were on the rise in West Fife last year.

Victims are threatened and told the images will be made public if they don't pay and police told councillors that it's difficult to stop as many of the attempts originate from overseas.

A report by the force to the South and West Fife area committee last week said extortion accounted for a "large proportion" of the rise in the most serious crimes in the area in 2020-21.

Chief Inspector Yvonne Stenhouse said: "To provide some context, this is related directly to an increase in the number of people who are being extorted online, often as a result of third parties obtaining compromising images or footage of them.

"It is assessed that this increase is directly linked to people being required to spend more time at home during lockdown, when traditional social interaction was limited.

"These offences often originate overseas and are consequently problematic to investigate or to detect somebody as responsible."

The police said residents should destroy documents, and even delivery boxes, that might enable fraudsters to gather useful information.

The most tragic example was in July 2013 when Dunfermline teenager Daniel Perry fell victim to a 'sextortion' attempt and took his own life.

The 17-year-old was said to have believed he was talking to an American girl online but was told by blackmailers that the conversations had been recorded and would be shared with friends and family unless he paid up.

Daniel's last message to loved ones was simply 'Bye'. A short time later the popular apprentice mechanic was dead.

An electronic trail followed by the police led to the Philippines and a warrant for the arrest of a Filipino man was issued in 2016.

However, he has not been extradited and no-one has faced trial in relation to Daniel's death.

A form of cyber extortion, Police Scotland said the sole aim is to get money from you.

The force said: "The extortion often takes place when a victim is asked to take off their clothes in front of a webcam. They can also be asked to perform sexual acts.

"The victim believes this to be a private act but it is not. The victim doesn't know that they are being recorded.

"The offender will then threaten the victim. They may demand money. They may threaten to share the images or videos on social media or share publicly."

Officers have urged residents to "be sensible" when using the internet and "never allow yourself to be duped into activity that you will later regret".

A spokesperson added: "Remember, what goes on the internet stays on the internet, forever."