Manila: The Philippines has taken measures against “sextortion” crimes amid concerns about the increasing incidences of this new modus operandi.

The Department of Justice, in an advisory, warned internet users in the Philippines against the possibility of being victimised by syndicates or individuals using stolen private videos.

“More internet users are subscribing to social media websites without protecting their personal information and allowing online strangers into their network,” Justice Secretary of Justice Leila De Lima said.

The term “sextortion” refers to the act when an offender tries to extort money from his victim by threatening to publish nude photos or video of the latter over the internet.

The modus operandi of sextortion offenders is to assume fake identities before engaging a victim.

De Lima said the justice department and other law enforcement authorities such as the Philippine National Police took a tougher stance on the matter amid reports saying that there is an increasing number of individuals falling victims to this nefarious scheme.

“This type of crime in cyberspace is as real as any real-world extortion,” De Lima said.

“It is an emerging issue following the large number of complaints received and results of the enforcement operations conducted by the Philippine National Police-Anti-Cybercrime Group and the Department of Justice-Office of Cybercrime (DOJ-OOC), in coordination with Interpol, against organised crime groups involved in sextortion,” she said.

Justice Department Assistant Secretary Geronimo L Sy, head of the Office of Cybercrime, said the adage of “don’t talk to strangers” remains relevant in the age of internet where sensitive information, photos and videos can be easily accessed and distributed.

“Any photo or video will always be accessible on the web. Prevention is the key to avoid being extorted,” he said.

The justice department said it is always wise not to give in to the demand of sextortionists and immediately inform authorities if a person is caught in such a situation.

The Philippines has laws to punish such crimes, and over the past two years has enacted edicts to make criminals using the internet and communication means to account for their crimes.

In May 2014, at least 58 people were arrested in various parts of the Philippines’ main northern island of Luzon following a crackdown on sextortionists and cybercriminals.

The crackdown was part of the cross-border operation called StrikeBack that was launched following the death of Scottish teenager Daniel Perry in July 2013.

Perry, a 19 year old, committed suicide last year after he had been blackmailed by his “chatmate” into paying a certain amount in electronic cash so videos of him engaging in sexual acts would not be posted over the internet.