Scammed young women online to send explicit images.

A National Crime Agency (NCA) investigation found that Samuel Ward, 27, from Newmarket, Suffolk, targeted victims on social media platforms with a deceitful "sugar daddy" scam.

The investigation began with a report from a 17-year-old girl in Florida who contacted U.S. law enforcement. She reported being approached on Instagram by two accounts offering her a "weekly allowance" of $500 in exchange for explicit images and videos. The accounts sent a doctored image of a bank balance to appear legitimate, but Ward never transferred any money.

NCA investigators identified Ward as the person behind the accounts and discovered he had targeted 40 women and girls, 33 in the UK, six in the U.S., and one in Ireland. He offered them "sugar daddy" arrangements with the same promises of payment for explicit content. While many rejected the proposal, 18 victims were identified, including four under the age of 18.

Ward employed a consistent pattern of deception, often using the same fake bank account image and approaching multiple victims simultaneously on platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, and Tinder. He offered various amounts of money, sometimes sending mock-up transaction receipts to appear genuine, but never paid the full amounts promised.

One victim, aged 23, was offered £3,000 for "non-explicit" images. After receiving images, she received only £3, despite Ward claiming to have sent £3,000. Another victim, aged 17 and known to Ward, was coerced into sending 57 indecent images, with Ward pressuring her by stating he had "needs" and "if u loved me u would have made some kind of effort." He also offered £10,000 for ten photos.

Investigators reviewed Ward's bank statements and confirmed that he was in his overdraft for the entire period of his offending and had only made the £3 and £1 payments to his victims.

Ward pleaded guilty to 19 charges in April 2023, including fraud, possession of an article for use in fraud, making indecent images of children, and malicious communication. On November 13, 2023, he was sentenced at Peterborough Crown Court to 30 months in prison and given a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

Adam Priestley, NCA senior investigating officer, commended the victims for assisting the investigation, particularly the 17-year-old from the U.S. who initially reported Ward. He emphasized the NCA's commitment to catching online offenders who pose a threat to vulnerable individuals and highlighted the importance of reporting any instances of pressure or deception related to sending sexual images online.

The NCA's CEOP Education program provides resources and support to parents, carers, children, and professionals to promote safe and positive online experiences for young people.