Police have noted a new crime trend where Internet users are propositioned by perpetrators who befriend them online.

These perpetrators persuade them to perform sexual acts in front of a webcam, and then threaten to circulate compromising photos and videos of the victim.

Typically, the perpetrators befriend their victims via online portals such as dating websites.

While chatting, the perpetrator persuades the victim to perform sexual acts in front of a webcam, and records the acts without the victim's knowledge.

Subsequently, the perpetrator then uses the victim's nude photos or videos to extort money.

The perpetrators, who are believed to be foreigners, have been known to use this particular modus operandi.

In some cases, the perpetrator has also been known to ask the victim to remit money to a foreign account to pay for the freight charges and/or custom levies for gifts which the perpetrator claimed to be sending to the victim.

If the victim refused to pay, the perpetrator would then resort to extortion from the victim using his/her nude photos or videos.

Members of the public are advised to be cautious when dealing with unknown persons over the internet.

Those who encounter such incidents should report the matter to the Police immediately.