Dutch police have launched a public appeal asking victims of an alleged international sextortion campaign to come forward, saying more women and girls may have been targeted than they have so far identified. The case is being treated as a cross-border online abuse investigation, with authorities saying the suspect used social media to trick victims into sharing explicit images before threatening to spread them unless they complied with further demands.
Investigation and victims
The investigation began after a tip from United States Homeland Security Investigations, which shared information with Dutch police and helped identify the suspect. According to the reports, more than 50 victims aged between 13 and 20 have been identified across at least six countries, including the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Germany, and Montenegro. Dutch officials say the real number may be higher because some victims have not yet been identified or may be too afraid to report what happened.
Charges and legal impact
Police say the alleged offender, a 22-year-old Dutch man identified in local reports only as Damian A, is on trial in Dordrecht and has reportedly confessed. Prosecutors have charged him with offences including online sexual assault, online rape, extortion, and producing, possessing, and distributing child sexual abuse material. They are seeking a nine-year prison sentence and compulsory psychiatric treatment, while investigators say the abuse involved deception, coercion, and humiliating acts recorded on camera. The wider legal significance is substantial. Sextortion cases like this often straddle multiple jurisdictions, making international cooperation essential because the victims, the suspect, the platforms, and the evidence may all be spread across different countries. Dutch police have paired the appeal with an online support campaign, telling victims they are not alone and directing them to assistance services, which reflects a broader enforcement strategy focused not only on prosecution but also on victim protection and reporting.