Men are being warned to not compromise themselves online using webcams following a blackmail scam where women ask them to pose naked or commit lewd acts.

The victims are then contacted online by somebody abroad who claims to have recordings or images of the incidents and threatens to publish them on the person’s social media accounts, such as Facebook, if they do not pay money.

A Norfolk Police spokesman said: “Victims have been targeted across the county in areas including Wisbech, Downham Market, Thetford, Norwich, North Walsham and King’s Lynn over the past four months.

“In most cases hundreds of pounds have been demanded.

“Police would like to remind users of social networking sites to remain cautious about their behaviour online and not to take risks which may put themselves in vulnerable situations.”

The warning comes following a number of incidents where men have been contacted on social media websites by women asking them to expose themselves and commit lewd acts online.