Dutch police urge victims of 'international sextortion campaign' to come forward

The abuse was uncovered after a number of young women in the US reported what had happened to them, triggering a wider investigation. In one case in the Netherlands, a Dutch schoolgirl was told to skip class and send a naked photo within 10 minutes, or her images would be distributed to her peers.Police say Damian A. made their lives "a living hell".Some victims were forced to hold signs or write the phrase "Owned by Turpien" – the alias the Dutch suspect is accused of using – on their bodies, effectively branding them in the pictures. Police say the images were then sold on other platforms, further spreading the abuse. He also allegedly shared the personal data.So far, Dutch authorities have identified more than 50 victims in countries including the Netherlands, the UK, the US, Canada, Germany and Montenegro, but they fear the true number is far higher."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 of the Rotterdam Police Sexual Crimes Team.The Dutch campaign aims to identify additional victims, reassure survivors that the suspect is in custody and cannot contact them, and encourage parents to talk to their children about the risks of sharing intimate images online. Posts include links and phone numbers for help and support.