Cyber Sextortion: An Emerging Threat To Netizens

Abstract

Sextortion is a form of online blackmail where perpetrators use sexually explicit material to extort victims. It is a growing cyber-enabled crime that uses digital technologies to coerce individuals into sharing sexual content or favors under threats of exposure. This article explores the issue in Rwanda, a country experiencing rapid digital growth yet facing gaps in digital literacy against this threat.

Between 2018 and 2024, the Rwanda Investigation Bureau recorded 59 sextortion cases, increasing annually by 16.6%. Victims were mainly women (87.7%) and youth aged 16–30 (49.2%), while most perpetrators were men aged 31–40 (54.9%).

The study identifies three forms of sextortion: financial (69.5%), involving monetary extortion; emotional, often by ex-partners for revenge or control; and opportunistic, where online predators exploit trust. These forms highlight the intersection of gender, age, digital exposure, and socio-economic vulnerability.

Despite advancements in cybersecurity, Rwanda’s legal response remains inadequate, as sextortion straddles both conventional criminal offenses and cybercrime. The absence of specific legal provisions, combined with limited public awareness and digital skills, fuels underreporting and victimization. The article calls for a holistic strategy, including clearer legal frameworks, digital safety tools, public education, and coordinated stakeholder engagement.

Recognizing sextortion as both cybercrime and abuse of power, the study emphasizes the need for context-specific, rights-based solutions to protect vulnerable groups. Comprehensive interventions are essential to ensure a safer and more accountable digital space in Rwanda and similar settings.