People looking for love in new year warned to be wary of scammers engaged in 'sextortion'

Sextortion occurs when someone is blackmailed as a result of sharing videos or images of themselves performing sexual activities with someone they met online. File picture

Scammers engaged in “sextortion” are leveraging loneliness and a desire for company by people looking for love, according to Ireland’s online watchdog.

In making a plea to people who are looking for love online, chief executive of Hotline.ie Mick Moran said: “If you find somebody who is willing to be sexual with you online, you have to see a red flag.