What happens when someone you supposedly trust decides to use information against you? With more and more people meeting others online how can you stop from being the next victim?

In an era where society is becoming increasingly dependent on the internet for day-to-day conveniences, it is no wonder that we are persistently warned of the dangers and potential security risks that the internet poses.

As well as security risks, the internet has highlighted the alarming potential for abuse.

A 20-year-old British Pakistani woman, who asked to remain anonymous, reveals how internet dating almost ruined her life.

“I met this man over Twitter. It’s not an unusual way to meet someone in today.

“We exchanged quite a few tweets and direct messages. He was really charming and witty and so flirtatious. Naturally I reciprocated the flirting.

“I did the standard online check on this guy. I saw his profile on LinkedIn and limited stuff on his Facebook wall. He was who he said he was. I had no reason at all to doubt him.

“So when he asked if we could Skype, I thought nothing of it and readily gave him my Skype address.

“I was actually quite relieved that he hadn’t asked to meet in person just yet, as I wanted to get to know him a little better first.”

What followed was something that the young woman could never have anticipated, actions that were to change her life.

“We Skyped several times. He was so lovely and sweet and seemed genuinely interested in me.

“And as any relationship evolves, we took things a little further.

“One evening during the Skype call, he told me how he kept thinking about me.

“He said he respected me to wait until I was ready to meet him in person. But in the meantime, he asked me to take off my top off.

“I was hesitant at first, but he was so damn charming about it. So I succumbed.

“And that was it. I took it off for about one minute and then put it on and ended the call.”

Following that Skype call, the young woman said the man, also a British born Pakistani, did not contact her for weeks. But what followed was a shock she was unprepared for.

“When he Skyped me a few weeks later, I couldn’t believe the words that were coming out of his mouth. It was like I was talking to a completely different person. It was like Jekyll and Hyde.

“In that last Skype call when I exposed myself to him, he had managed to get a screenshot of me without me even knowing.

“When he showed the picture, I felt physically sick.

“He then told me that unless I paid him £3000, he would show the picture to my family.”

Petrified and anxious that her family would find out about her actions, she felt she had no choice but to pay him that sum of money, hoping that the matter would be concluded.

However, a few months later the man made contact again, articulating the very same threat, demanding £3,000 again.

Upon being blackmailed once again, she fell into a deep depression, suffering severe weight loss, feeling trapped and at times suicidal.

It was at this point that she decided to confide in her best friend who advised her that the only way to resolve this matter was by informing the police.

Following prosecution, the matter subsequently resulted in a 42 month sentence for the man.

“I admit I was stupid to fall for the charms of a man I didn’t really know. I should have protected myself and not been so naïve.

“I was traumatised. I am only sharing this so the same thing doesn’t happen to anyone else.”

Here are some safety tips when going online Do not send any form of intimate picture. Even if you think you know the person well you have no idea where it will end up.

Always collect as much evidence as possible and take a screenshot.

If you’re being blackmailed or threatened tell someone you trust. It doesn’t matter how embarrassing it is or if you’ve done something you wished you hadn’t.

You can report threats online to the police who have a duty to take it seriously.

Importantly, do not give anyone personal information and make sure your privacy settings are set properly on sites like Facebook.