Customers have been warned (Image: Getty)
Nationwide has issued a ‘red flag’ warning for customers as it urged them ‘do not’.
Young men are being targeted in a surge of cruel “sextortion” scams, Nationwide said, as it warned people not to share intimate images or personal details online. The building society’s analysis of 50 real cases reveals men in their twenties are most at risk, with nearly half (47%) of victims aged 20 to 29 and a staggering 98% identified as male. Victims ranged in age from just 13 to 70, with an average age of 25.
The findings lay bare how fraudsters are zeroing in on young men, often using dating apps and social media to build trust before turning the situation into blackmail.
Separate polling of more than 2,000 people shows anxiety is particularly high among younger generations.
Around 71% of 16–24-year-olds said they are worried about younger people sharing intimate images, compared with 61% across all age groups.
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That concern may be rooted in experience. Among secondary school and university students, more than one in five (23%) said they had already been scammed, while over half (54%) believe fraud has become harder to spot.
The same group also admitted risky behaviour online, with 17% saying they had shared intimate images and more than a quarter (26%) disclosing private information.
Jim Winters, head of economic crime at Nationwide, said: “These cases illustrate how scammers exploit vulnerability, urgency, and shame especially among younger people who may have limited experience with fraud or feel too embarrassed to ask for help early.
“Our insight and research shows how easily private and sensitive information can be used against us.
“The safest way to protect yourself is not to share anything that you wouldn’t want in the wrong hands. Maybe easier said than done but the damage caused here is far beyond financial.”
How the scam unfolds
Nationwide says cases typically follow a chillingly similar pattern. Victims are approached online, often via dating platforms or social media, before being persuaded to move conversations onto private messaging apps.
In one case, “Sean” met someone on Tinder and built up a relationship online. After sharing images and video calling, he received a threatening call demanding money.
The scammer then instructed him to download payment apps and share his screen via WhatsApp and Instagram. Once he paid, further demands followed.
Another victim, “Harrison”, was contacted on Instagram by someone posing as a young girl. After being coaxed into sharing private images, the fraudster gained access to his account and threatened to release the pictures unless he bought Apple gift cards. He eventually told his father, who reported it to police.
The red flags you must not ignore
Nationwide has issued a series of urgent warnings to help people avoid falling victim:
- Do not share intimate images or personal details – once sent, they can be used against you
- Never switch platforms at someone else’s request – scammers try to move chats to less secure apps
- Do not send money, gift cards or codes – paying once often leads to more demands
- Watch out for pressure tactics – fraudsters create urgency to stop you thinking clearly
The lender said shame is one of the scammers’ most powerful weapons, keeping victims silent while demands escalate.
With fraudsters becoming increasingly sophisticated, the warning is clear: once images or information are shared, the consequences can spiral rapidly – and the damage can go far beyond money.
