Parents and caregivers pay attention: the FBI in Utah issued a warning on Thursday of the increase in sextortion schemes now targeting boys and children. Specifically there has been a sharp increase in incidents of adults posing as young girls coercing the boys through social media to produce sexual images and videos that are then used to extort the boy for money with the predator threatening to post the explicit material online unless they are paid. The most common victims are males from 14 to 17 years old. “Sextortion is a crime. The coercion of a child by an adult to produce what is considered Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) carries heavy penalties, which can include up to life sentences for the offender,” shares the FBI announcement. “Sextortion offenders may have hundreds of victims around the world, so coming forward to help law enforcement identify the offender may prevent countless other incidents of sexual exploitation to that victim and others.” Parents and caregivers are urged to protect and educate their children. People can pretend to be anything or anyone online. If you believe you or someone you know is the victim of sextortion, visit www.ic3.gov. Do not delete anything before law enforcement has had the chance to review it. Remember, the situation may be embarrassing but it is necessary to share in order to find and stop the offender.
