Dutch police launch campaign to find more sextortion victims

Dutch police have launched an international social media campaign to identify and assist victims of online sexual exploitation in a disturbing cross-border “sextortion” case that has affected dozens of young women and girls across multiple countries.

The investigation, initiated by a tip from U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, has identified more than 50 victims between the ages of 13 and 20 across six countries including the United States, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Germany, Montenegro, and Canada.

Authorities believe there are likely more unidentified victims based on evidence found on the suspect’s devices, prompting the urgent outreach campaign.

“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,” said Milou van der Kolk from the Rotterdam Police Sexual Crimes Team.

The alleged perpetrator, identified only as Damian A. in accordance with Dutch privacy laws, was arrested early last year. The 22-year-old Dutch man appeared in court Wednesday in Dordrecht, where prosecutors are seeking a nine-year prison sentence plus mandatory psychiatric treatment. Both prosecution and defense attorneys confirm he has confessed to the charges.

According to court proceedings, Damian A. operated online under the pseudonym “Turpien,” initially posing as a female peer to trick victims into sharing explicit images. Once he obtained initial photos, he escalated his demands through blackmail, threatening to release the images if victims didn’t comply with increasingly degrading acts.

In some cases, he ordered victims to write “Owned by Turpien” on their bodies as they performed humiliating acts. Prosecutors also allege he sold images of his victims to others online, compounding their exploitation.

The suspect faces charges of online assault and rape, extortion, and producing, possessing, and distributing child pornography. A psychiatric assessment presented in court diagnosed him with “an autism spectrum disorder and a sexual sadism disorder.”

Beyond informing potential victims about available support resources, the Dutch campaign also aims to reassure them that the suspect is now in custody and can no longer cause them harm.

“This case highlights the importance of strong international cooperation, such as between U.S. and Dutch authorities, which is essential for protecting children online and effectively investigating and prosecuting offenders across borders,” said Eben Roberts, Homeland Security Investigations attaché in The Hague.

Roberts noted that the Dutch campaign aligns with the U.S. “Know2Protect” initiative, which focuses on combating online child exploitation. Both efforts provide resources, links, and phone numbers where victims can seek assistance.

This case reflects an alarming trend in online exploitation. Dutch prosecutors reported that 2025 saw a 46% increase in online sex crimes compared to the previous year, with more than 3,000 cases recorded in the Netherlands alone.

Sextortion schemes typically follow a similar pattern: perpetrators establish trust online, often by impersonating someone else, obtain compromising images, then use those images as leverage to demand more explicit content or money. The psychological impact on victims can be severe, with some cases leading to extreme distress, social withdrawal, and even suicide attempts.

Law enforcement agencies worldwide have been struggling to keep pace with the evolving tactics of online predators, particularly as social media platforms and messaging apps proliferate.

The international scope of this case demonstrates how online exploitation easily crosses national boundaries, creating complex jurisdictional challenges for investigators. The successful cooperation between Dutch and American authorities provides a template for how international partnerships can effectively combat these crimes.

A verdict in the case is expected in the coming weeks.