Dutch law enforcement is actively searching for additional individuals who may have fallen victim to a wide-reaching “international sextortion campaign.” This initiative follows a stark warning that numerous women and girls were compelled into engaging in degrading sexual acts captured on camera.
Investigators have identified a 22-year-old Dutch national as the central figure. Authorities allege he used online personas, specifically that of a teenage girl, to approach potential victims on popular social media platforms. He reportedly manipulated these individuals into sending explicit photographs.
Once in possession of these intimate images, the suspect is accused of initiating a pattern of blackmail. Victims were allegedly coerced into producing increasingly graphic, extreme, and sadistic photographic and video content. This included performing self-directed sexual acts and engaging in acts like licking toilet seats. The threats consistently involved the potential dissemination of previously obtained images to their personal networks, including friends, family, and classmates.
Public prosecutors have stated that the suspect, identified as Damian A. in accordance with Dutch privacy regulations, has since confessed to these actions. His arrest occurred in January 2025, and his trial commenced this week in the city of Dordrecht.
The charges brought against him include online sexual assault and online rape. Prosecutors have formally requested a prison sentence of nine years, coupled with a mandate for psychological treatment.
According to Dutch media reports, the suspect reportedly stated, “I didn’t think about the consequences. That you can hurt people.”
A verdict in the case is anticipated within the coming weeks.
The extent of the abuse came to light after a number of young women in the United States reported their experiences. This led to the initiation of a broader investigation that subsequently revealed similar patterns elsewhere.
In one documented instance within the Netherlands, a Dutch schoolgirl was allegedly instructed to leave class and submit a nude photograph within a ten-minute timeframe. The consequence of non-compliance was explicitly stated as the distribution of her images to her peers.
Dutch police have described the impact on victims’ lives as “a living hell.”
Some individuals were reportedly forced to hold signs or write the phrase “Owned by Turpien” – the alias attributed to the Dutch suspect – on their bodies. This served as a form of digital branding within the captured media.
Authorities reported that these images were subsequently sold on various online platforms, contributing to a wider dissemination of the illicit material. The suspect is also accused of sharing victims’ personal data.
To date, Dutch authorities have identified over 50 victims located in countries including the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Germany, and Montenegro. However, law enforcement expresses concern that the actual number of victims could be significantly higher.
“We are very worried because what these girls have had to endure is so extreme and so intense, and we know that there are more girls but we don’t know who they are,” stated Milou van der Kolk of the Rotterdam Police Sexual Crimes Team.
The current Dutch initiative aims to identify any additional victims, to provide reassurance to survivors that the suspect is in custody and no longer poses an immediate threat, and to encourage parents to discuss the risks associated with sharing intimate images online with their children. The campaign’s outreach includes direct links and telephone numbers for support services.
Police characterize victims of online sexual abuse as experiencing feelings of profound isolation, significant stress, and a sense of hopelessness.
The provision of professional victim support is deemed crucial, with conditions such as shame, intense fear, despair, and persistent pressure being so overwhelming that it “can sometimes even be a matter of life and death.”
This case highlights the potential for a single individual, equipped with a smartphone, to effectively isolate young girls within their homes. It demonstrates how social media can be transformed into a tool for intimidation, exploitation, and control, often occurring undetected by adults in their immediate vicinity.
In addition to seeking victims, the police have issued an appeal to anyone who may have purchased or shared the illicit images. They are urged to delete them immediately, with a warning that “there will be a digital paper trail” documenting such actions.
Sextortion is identified as a rapidly escalating criminal activity. In the Netherlands alone, police recorded approximately 3,000 cases in 2025, representing a 46% increase compared to the preceding year.
For individuals who have experienced online abuse, resources for support can be found through BBC Action Line.