POLICE in Fermanagh are warning people to be aware of online sex scams that can lead to blackmailing.

Sharing a post to the Police Fermanagh and Omagh Facebook page on Wednesday night (January 27), a PSNI spokesman highlighted how a person could get caught in a "blackmail honeytrap" and to contact the police immediately if they do get caught.

The PSNI spokesman said: "Lads, we need to have a chat about online friend requests from random ladies with a penchant for loose and disintegrating clothing.

"Despite the campaigns, the glossy literature and all the warnings, we are still regularly seeing blokes caught in the classic blackmail honey trap."

The PSNI spokesman went on to suggest that it may be because of lockdown that there has been a "big upsurge" in recent weeks of "blokes being caught, quite literally, with their trousers down".

He continued: "Here's a guarantee from us: if you get a random friend request from a female who appears to be local, then shortly after starts getting hot and heavy in the chat with a few videos thrown in, then you are slap-bang in the middle of being scammed and blackmailed."

Calling it a "tried and tested routine", the PSNI spokesman outlined a typical blackmail honeytrap: "You accept the friend request, 'she' starts the chat, it quickly turns sexual, you get sent a few vids allegedly from her, you send similar back ... BOOM! They've got you.

"The second you send that video of yourself to your brand-new best friend you didn't know five minutes ago, then the blackmail starts.

"So, along with the pictures of your mates, family and work details they then send you - all gleaned from your various online profiles - they'll also include demands for money," said the PSNI spokesman, noting that often when the victim pays the money, a few days later, more demands arrive.

"It's a downward spiral," he added.

The PSNI spokesman went on to advise people that if this happens to them, "it's not the end of the world".

"Contact us immediately and do not pay any money to anyone," he said.

"The best solution is keep your zip up, button closed, and don't send any videos.

"These attempted blackmails are constant so make sure your mates are aware of them too. Don't get caught out!" said the PSNI spokesman.