AI-Generated Nude Images Used to Blackmail Minors in Finland
Minors in Finland have been targeted in extortion schemes where perpetrators send them AI-generated fake nude images and demand payment under threat of distributing the material. Police reported over 30 cases by mid-2026, with incidents tripling between 2023 and 2025.
What happened
Itä-Suomen poliisi reported a pattern of extortion targeting minors on social media platforms including Instagram, Snapchat, and Telegram. Unknown perpetrators contact minors, send them AI-generated nude or sexually suggestive images purporting to depict them, and threaten to distribute the material unless the minor pays, typically by purchasing gift cards for Steam, Apple, or G2A.
In one case, a perpetrator created fake nude images and videos of a 2009-born youth and demanded payment, claiming he would distribute them if the victim did not comply. In another case, a Varkauden youth received a message from an unknown person on Instagram; after initial normal conversation, the person began extorting 200 euros from the victim using AI-generated imagery.
Reported impact
Between 2023 and 2025, cases related to online sexual harassment of children tripled according to Itä-Suomen poliisi. By the end of June 2026, the police department had received over 30 cases that year.
In one documented case, a young person paid extortionists eight gift cards totalling 897 euros. Police note that money lost to extortion is rarely recovered, though the material threatened to be shared is infrequently actually distributed.
Index analysis
Police report that a single facial photograph can be sufficient for AI to generate a nude image. One case investigation traced the perpetrator's digital footprint to Nigeria.
Governance controls
Itä-Suomen poliisi advised minors and young people not to respond to threats and not to make payments, warning that perpetrators typically remain unidentified and located abroad. Police advised caution about what images are shared of oneself or close persons online, on social media, or in discussion channels.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
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