Salina Woman Loses $250 in Online Sextortion Scam

A 30-year-old Salina woman reported being the victim of an online sextortion scam after communicating for two weeks with a man she met on TikTok. During their conversations, she sent him inappropriate photographs. When she later asked him to delete the images, he refused and threatened to post them publicly unless she paid him.

The victim sent a $150 Apple gift card that the suspect claimed was invalid, followed by another $100 gift card, resulting in a total loss of $250. The suspect told her he was a soldier stationed in Italy, a claim police noted was likely fabricated.

The woman contacted law enforcement only after the transactions were completed. Police emphasized the risks of sharing sensitive content online and warned that once such material is sent, it cannot be retrieved or controlled. The investigation is ongoing.