Briefing
The Jefatura Superior de Policía de La Rioja issued prevention guidance on so-called Sextortion on 4 November 2026, urging young people, parents and schools in particular to remain vigilant. The authority describes sextortion as blackmail involving intimate photos or videos: perpetrators gain trust online, request sensitive content and then threaten to distribute it to extort money or further favours.
The police’s main recommendations are: do not send intimate photos or videos to strangers; privacy settings use consistently on social media; do not video-chat with strangers; be wary of online relationships that become close quickly; do not disclose addresses, telephone numbers or payment details. In an acute case, the Jefatura advises: do not pay, block the contact immediately, document all message exchanges and demands (screenshots, usernames, chat logs) and promptly contact a Reporting a crime.
The authorities stress that paying does not stop the perpetrators and say the barriers to reporting should be lowered so that investigations can be authorised and facilitated. Parents and teachers should talk about digital risks early, take signs of pressure or withdrawal seriously, and accompany victims when they report the crime. The police say that blaming victims often prevents effective follow-up.
The statement from the Jefatura Superior de Policía de La Rioja should be read as preventive information; the published version gives no specific figures or individual cases and refers to the police authority’s general responsibility for receiving reports of digital extortion. The recommendations are consistent with advice regularly given in Spain by national police units and independent support services: preserve evidence, do not pay and contact specialist services. The aim is to encourage victims to report cases and thereby gain control over the spread of sensitive material.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).