Sextortion warning: Cases of predators getting images, money from teenage boys on the rise, FBI says
PHILADELPHIA - The FBI Newark Field Office is warning parents about an increase in reports of sextortion involving teenage boys.
According to the agency, sextortion is an online crime that involves contact between a minor and an adult on an online platform, such as a gaming website or social media."The adult predator or scammer convinces the child to share sexual images or video and then threatens to post the content unless the victim sends more content or money," the FBI said.
According to federal authorities, the most recent increase in cases mainly targets teenage boys between the age of 14 and 17.
The field office says the coercion of a child by an adult to produce child sexual abuse material carries heavy penalties, including a possible life sentence for offenders. "To make victimization stop, children typically have to come forward to someone - normally a parent, teacher, caregiver, or law enforcement," the FBI said. "The embarrassment children feel from the activity where they were coerced or enticed to engage in is what typically prevents them from coming forward." The agency is urging victims to come forward to help stop extortion offenders, who may have hundreds of victims around the world. "We want parents, teachers, other relatives, anyone who is in a child’s life, to be aware," said Special Agent in Charge George M.
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