A SCOTS schoolgirl was targeted in a sextortion plot by a fiend impersonating pupils.
The eight-year-old, who attends Gilmerton Primary in Edinburgh, was coerced into sending explicit images by a sicko posing as a fellow student on Snapchat.
The girl’s horrified mum took to a community forum informing other families someone had been making fake accounts of her daughter, demanding “embarrassing videos and pictures”.
Cops have launched an investigation following several reports of indecent images being shared, BBC News reports.
The school’s headteacher has issued a stark warning to parents urging them to monitor their children’s social media accounts.
Head teacher Alet Bouwer wrote: “Dear Gilmerton families, I am writing to inform you that we are aware of an ongoing situation with regards to a person impersonating pupils on social media (specifically Snapchat).
“We are working very closely with our colleagues from the Child Protection team within Police Scotland on this matter.
“Can I direct you to the page on our website with useful information to keep your children safe online. Please do check all your children’s social media accounts.
“Screenshot, block and report any suspicious accounts and report this to Police Scotland. We are also more than happy to answer any questions and signpost families to information about online safety.”
A Police Scotland spokesman 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.’
“Inquiries are ongoing and we are working closely with a number of partner agencies.”
A Snapchat spokesperson described the incident as “horrific and illegal”.
They added: “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.”
Sextortion can refer to a variety of offences committed online.
It is most often used to describe online blackmail, where criminals threaten to release sexual or indecent images of you, unless you pay money or carry out their demands.
For more advice and information on staying safe online, visit the Police Scotland website.
