Police Scotland investigation under way after girl, 8, targeted in sextortion plot
Parents at the school are being urged to check their children's social media accounts amid reports of a predator impersonating pupils on Snapchat.
Wednesday 26 February 2025 17:13, UK
A police investigation is under way after an eight-year-old girl was targeted in a sextortion plot.
Parents at an Edinburgh primary school have been warned to check their children's social media accounts amid reports of a predator impersonating pupils on Snapchat.
Police Scotland said a probe has been launched following several complaints of indecent images being shared online in the Scottish capital.
One mother said her eight-year-old daughter fell victim to the sextortion.
She said the "beast" made fake accounts of the girl and her friends, demanding embarrassing videos and pictures amid threats to hack into their phones and post everything online.
It is understood the incident took place at home on the girl's personal device, not within the school.
A number of other pupils were also targeted.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "An investigation is under way after we received several reports in February 2025 relating to indecent images being shared on an online platform in Edinburgh.
"Enquiries are ongoing and we are working closely with a number of partner agencies."
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The school's headteacher has written to families urging them to check their youngsters' social media accounts and to screenshot, block and report any suspicious activity.
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The school said it is working closely with colleagues from the child protection team within Police Scotland.
Councillor Joan Griffiths, education, children and families convener, said: "I was shocked and extremely upset to hear that a child has been subjected to this - and disgusted that anyone could be capable of such a thing.
"I hope whoever is responsible is caught quickly and feels the full force of the law.
"We are offering our full support to the child and her family while reminding all parents to remain vigilant and help keep their children safe online.
"If you have any cause for concern, please contact Police Scotland immediately."
Snapchat is a messaging app for people aged 13 and over.
A spokesperson for the company said: "Any sexual exploitation of young people is horrific and illegal, and our hearts go out to the victims in this case.
"If we are made aware of such activity, whether through our proactive detection efforts or confidential in-app reporting tools, we remove it, lock the violating account, and report it to authorities.
"Snapchat is for people aged 13 and over and we have extra safeguards in place to prevent strangers from being able to easily find or search for teens.
"Our family centre also lets parents see who their teen is friends with and talking to on Snapchat."