18-year-old high school student arrested on suspicion of ‘sextortion

Police in Tsu, Mie Prefecture, have detained an 18-year-old male high school student on suspicion of “sextortion,” after he warned a 16-year-old girl that he would post images of her naked online until she had sex with him.

According to the authorities, the student and the girl met through a common acquaintance some time ago, NTV stated. The suspect called the girl on Saturday and threatened to release the photographs online in an attempt to compel her into having sex with him, police said.

Instead, the girl conferred with police.

Police stated the youngster has acknowledged to the charge and cited him as saying “I just wanted to have sex with her.”

Police did not disclose any specifics on how or when the suspect received photos of the girl.

The suspect contacted the victim on Saturday and made the coercive demand, attempting to force her into a sexual encounter. Police were alerted and quickly apprehended the teenage perpetrator.

Sextortion is a serious crime that involves blackmailing or coercing someone, often minors, into producing sexual content or engaging in sexual acts by threatening to release private photos or videos.

It has become an increasingly common threat to teenagers online