Police have warned the public of the risk of online sexual extortion, highlighting that hundreds of men are likely to fall victim to "sextortion" every year.

Dumfries and Galloway Police Divison has brought attention to the fact that organised crime groups use social media to entice people, typically men, into performing "explicit sexual acts" on social media.

A spokesman for the police explained; "If they do so, the victim is then threatened that if they do not pay hundreds or thousands of pounds through money service bureaus, the footage will be posted online and sent to their friends and family.

"This is a serious crime which can have catastrophic consequences for some of the victims."

Police are urging anyone who finds themself in this sort of situation not to make any payment or reply to any messages.

"Take measures to enhance your security such as changing your passwords," the spokesman added.

"If you have fallen victim to sextortion, please do not hesitate in reporting the circumstances by phoning us on 101, or 999 in an emergency."