Behind the screen: How predators use 'love' to manipulate, control victims

SHAH ALAM – Social media and dating apps have been found to be used by sexual offenders to get to know and trap victims, especially children.

Statistics released by the police recorded a total of 633 cases last year involving applications such as Facebook, Google, Instagram, Leomatch, Omi, Telegram, TikTok, Indrive, WeChat, WhatsApp, Bumble, Litmatch and Tinder.

Even more shocking, six cases were recorded involving sexual offences through connections made in online games.

Bukit Aman’s Sexual, Women and Child Investigation Division’s (D11) principal assistant director Senior Assistant Commissioner Siti Kamsiah Hassan said based on research conducted by her team, recorded cases, revealed that perpetrators used social media as a platform to search for and identify their victims.

She said perpetrators often seek out and approach victims using pseudonyms or fake identities.

"The suspects do not target victims at random. Instead, they will identify the victim, study their activities and interests and then gradually build rapport to gain their trust," she said in an exclusive interview with Sinar at Bukit Aman recently.

She said the suspect would manipulate the victim by building a sense of comfort and trust.

Kamsiah explained that once a suspect gained the victim’s trust, they began to exert control and manipulate them through grooming, gradually leading to sexual exploitation especially in the case of children.

"After gaining the victim's trust, the suspect gradually shifts the conversation from casual topics to discussions and sharing of sexual content, eventually manipulating the victim into a romantic relationship.

"The victim, who starts to develop trust and hope, falls under the suspect's control and is eventually coerced into sharing sexualised images or videos, such as nudes. At this point, the suspect begins to threaten them, using blackmail if they refuse to comply," she said.

She said the perpetrator's modus operandi involved targeting victims who drew attention on social media adding that most of the victims were between 13 and 16 years old.

She said while there were cases involving children under 12, they were fewer.

This, she said was because children in this age group were still under strict parental supervision, making it harder for suspects to reach and communicate with them.

Meeting in person just an hour after connecting

Kamsiah said in such cases, the perpetrator and the victim had only recently knew each other.

"The modus operandi involves grooming, which can happen in as little as an hour. If a victim is easily deceived, it depends on their level of vulnerability and personal values.

"In some cases, they can be invited to meet within an hour. These days, it's as simple as sharing a location and they can show up immediately.

"The first meeting often seems harmless, like going for a drink or watching a movie. It feels normal. But just from casual chatting, a victim may agree to meet without knowing anything about the perpetrator’s background," she said.

She said statistics also showed that the highest number of perpetrators were above 18 years old.

"There has also been an increase in perpetrators under 18, at the secondary and even primary school levels. Although the numbers are not drastic, the increase happens every year," she said.

Kamsiah noted that these cases showed crimes were not only committed by adults but also by children, who were involved as perpetrators.

She said such cases were more individual-based rather than involving specific groups or syndicates.

Educating on red flags

Kamsiah stressed that parents must educate their children with religious values, manners and restore the function of the family institution.

She emphasised the importance of educating children about red flags and early warning signs, especially if a perpetrator makes inappropriate or sexual requests.

"If someone asks them to remove their clothes or engage in anything similar, they must recognise it as a clear boundary. Such actions go against our cultural norms," she added.