Teenager's Suicide Linked to Sextortion Scam, Coroner Finds

An 18-year-old was subjected to a barrage of video calls and messages from a sextortion scam blackmailer shortly before taking his own life, an inquest has heard. Cai Rhys Davies sent intimate pictures and videos to an individual posing as a romantic interest on a fake dating site.

The scammers, based in West Africa, then demanded money from Davies, threatening to release the images on YouTube and to his friends. Davies attempted to take his own life in his bedroom on the same day the demand was made in May of the previous year. He died four days later in hospital from a brain injury.

Assistant coroner Rachel Knight recorded a conclusion of suicide, stating it was 'more likely than not' that personal stresses in his life, combined with falling victim to the sextortion scam, 'more than minimally contributed' to his death. Following the inquest in Pontypridd, South Wales, the coroner sent a report to the UK and Welsh governments regarding public awareness of such scams.

The inquest heard that the conversation between Davies and the scammer quickly turned sexual, with the scammer requesting intimate images. These were then used to blackmail Davies for money. The images were sent to at least one of Davies' Facebook friends by the scammer. Davies was reportedly bombarded with messages and video calls via Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp over a very short period, with demands for money.

In response, online safety minister Ian Murray outlined measures the UK Government has implemented to protect children and young people, including criminalizing the taking of intimate images without consent, requiring online platforms to remove such images, and the introduction of the Online Safety Act. Murray stated, "The circumstances surrounding Cai's death are profoundly troubling, and I am grateful to you for drawing these matters to my attention. As the minister responsible, the Government and I are fully committed to making the online world as safe as it can be for everyone, especially children and young people."

Davies had a difficult childhood, having lost both parents within a year of each other when he was young. He was raised by his grandparents and, according to his brother, struggled with ADHD and behavioral issues. A former school support worker recalled receiving a Facebook message from Davies asking if she had received a message from someone named 'Melissa Calvert.' Upon opening the message the following day, she found an intimate picture and video.

Criminal investigator DC Jack Cotton told the inquest that 'Melissa Calvert' was likely a false name and that Davies was a victim of a large-scale sextortion operation originating in the Ivory Coast. A false Facebook account, posing as a white woman from London of a similar age to Davies, was likely created. Although not all messages could be retrieved, the conversation was believed to have quickly become sexual, with Davies allegedly sending intimate photos later used for blackmail. IP address details and phone numbers traced the account to the Ivory Coast.

On the evening of May 29, the blackmailer threatened to release videos of Davies if he did not pay, stating it would 'ruin his life.' Davies claimed he did not have the money and was in the hospital with his grandmother. His last interaction with the blackmailer was on the morning of May 30, hours before he was found in his bedroom. DC Cotton noted that prosecution was not possible as the perpetrators could not be identified due to the phone being based outside the UK.

The inquest also heard that Davies had struggled with low moods from around age 12, experimenting with cannabis and alcohol. His brother noted that Davies appeared to be struggling more than usual before his death, and being a victim of sextortion may have contributed to his low mood.

Coroner Knight concluded that it was more likely than not that personal stress and the sextortion scam more than minimally contributed to his death by suicide. She also suggested a lack of public education about sextortion blackmail.

The Welsh Government stated that while telecommunications and internet services are reserved to Westminster, ministers are committed to reducing online harm in Wales. They are engaging with the UK Government on online safety risks and reviewing legislative proposals concerning children's access to social media and high-risk online features. The Welsh Government plans to review existing guidance, develop new guidance for schools, and implement a national online safety program as part of its commitment to strengthening digital resilience and preventing harm.