Danish boys increasingly targeted in sextortion scams, experts warn

Danish boys as young as 12 are being targeted in rising numbers by sextortion scams, with perpetrators exploiting their trust and financial access, according to counselors at Red Barnet (Save the Children Denmark) and sexual health organization Sex & Samfund.

Counselors at SletDet (“Delete It”), a helpline for digital violations, report a sharp increase in calls from boys who have been blackmailed with intimate images, often by professional criminals posing as peers. “They’re primarily facing financial extortion, where perpetrators threaten to share private images unless paid,” said Carina Ringive, a digital violations expert at Red Barnet. The helpline now ranks sextortion as its second-most common case, after non-consensual image sharing.

Police data confirm the trend, with men and boys accounting for a growing share of sextortion reports, prompting a recent warning from Denmark’s National Serious Crime Unit. Perpetrators—frequently based abroad—use translated messages, fake Danish profiles, and even AI-altered images to manipulate victims. Some employ countdown timers for payments, threatening to send material to victims’ families or “ruin their lives” if demands aren’t met.

Jeppe Hald, academic lead at Sex & Samfund, attributes the vulnerability of Danish boys to several factors: the country’s wealth gives them disposable income, their strong English skills make communication easy, and their open attitudes toward sexuality reduce hesitation in sharing explicit content. “They’re less accustomed to sexual shame being weaponized against them,” Hald said. “Girls often anticipate ‘slut-shaming,’ but boys assume they’re immune to similar consequences.”

The psychological toll is severe. Ringive described boys as young as 13 calling in panic, some vomiting from stress or skipping school. Many blame themselves, saying, “I know it’s my fault” or “I was stupid.” Others express despair over their futures. “Some tell us they can’t see how to go on living their lives,” she said.

Authorities emphasize that victims are not at fault and urge them to report incidents immediately, as perpetrators often reuse tactics across multiple targets.