Online extortionists use AI to create fake nude images from teens’ social media

Finnish police report a rise in online sexual extortion targeting children and adolescents, with most cases originating on social media platforms.

In one case, an extortionist took images from a teen’s Instagram account and used AI to generate explicit nude images, then demanded €200 to prevent their distribution to the victim’s followers. In another, a victim paid €900 in gift cards after threats to publish fabricated nude images.

Perpetrators often operate from abroad, frequently remaining unidentified, and rarely follow through on threats to share the material. Police trace at least one case to Nigeria.

Authorities urge parents to engage with their children about online safety, noting that individuals in gaming chats or social media may misrepresent their identity. A recent survey by the child protection group Pelastakaa Lapset found that over a quarter of 11–17-year-olds received sexual messages in the past year, while 15% had sent them.

Police emphasize that online sexual violence is increasingly common and targets ever younger victims.