Sextortion’ reports to Suffolk police nearly trebled last year, according to the constabulary’s figures.

The soaring number of blackmail attempts has led one of the county’s senior detectives to issued a warning to people about the perils of performing sex acts online.

Although the total number of cases was less than one a week, the 38 offences recorded in 2015 were more than the previous four years’ reports combined.

The sharp rise has continued with an average of two people a week making complaints of sextortion in the first seven weeks of 2016.

The growing phenomenon - also known as ‘webcam blackmail’ - refers to criminals deceiving camera users into taking off their clothes and performing a sex act.

The footage is recorded and used, mainly by international organised crime gangs, to extort money from those who have been duped.

This makes it difficult for police to capture the blackmailers. Only one person has been charged in Suffolk. That was in 2014.

The ages of the males and females targeted over the past five years range from a 14-year-old boy to a 63-year-old man.

In one case last year a 34-year-old woman was asked to send £6,000 or her naked breasts would be posted on Facebook. A 48-year-old woman was also threatened to have a film of her released online.

This year a 52-year-old man was told to pay 15,000 Euros after he performed a sex act on Skype.

In 2015 a bid to blackmail a 20-year-old out of £9,000 was also made.

Detective Inspector Barry Byford, of Suffolk Constabulary, said: “Unfortunately incidents of this type have increased as internet and social media use continues to grow and members of the public are warned to be vigilant online and to think twice before committing sexual acts via a webcam.

“In many of the crimes reported to Suffolk Police, people engaging in this type of activity have received demands for large sums of money soon afterwards, with the threat that the footage will be posted online if not.

“This constitutes blackmail and anyone who has been a victim of this should report it to police immediately.”

Sextortion reports in Suffolk have risen from two in 2011 to three in 2012, seven in 2013 and 13 in 2014. Last year reached a new level.

The consequences of the blackmail attempts elsewhere in the country have led to deaths in extreme cases.

In February this year prosecutors in Scotland launched a bid to extradite a Filipino man over the death of a teenager who took his own life.

The 17-year-old from Dunfermline died in July 2013 after allegedly falling victim to a sextortion attempt.

He believed he was talking to an American girl online but was told by blackmailers the conversations had been recorded and would be shared with friends and family unless he paid up.

Suffolk Constabulary is urging residents to be aware of all online frauds.

For more information visit the Action Fraud website www.actionfraud.police.uk/fraud-az-romance-scams.