Five men have been arrested for blackmailing gay men in Haarlem and Alkmaar in two separate investigations, regional broadcaster NH Nieuws said on Tuesday.

Two teenagers, aged 17 and 19, from Lelystad were arrested for the Haarlem cases. The Alkmaar incidents involve three men aged 20 to 23. All five have been remanded in custody.

So far 15 victims have gone to the police claiming they are being blackmailed. They met their blackmailers online via dating apps and websites.

The victims, who range in age from 17 to 76, were told to pay over money to keep the encounters a secret. Two of the victims were also subjected to physical violence, the broadcaster says.