![]() How exploitive images are removed | NCMEC Responding to Changing Online Threats They may also visit public social media profiles to find out more about their victims, combing through friend lists and gleaning other personal information that may harm their target’s reputation. Sextortionists record and preserve entire chats and videos. These criminals commonly make first contact with a victim on one platform, then ask them to move to a second or third platform that uses encrypted messaging to make tracking their crimes more difficult. They may also threaten victims by falsely claiming that they already have explicit photos that they intend to distribute, or they may threaten to harm the victim, other people, or things the victim cares about. These predators then threaten to expose the material if the victim refuses to comply with their demands. Sometimes these criminals offer children something they value, such as the possibility of a modeling contract online game credits or codes or money, cryptocurrency and gift cards in exchange for a “quick picture.” Some even hack into computers to unearth sensitive material. They start what appear to be genuine conversations to strike up close friendships with their victims. In their initial contact with a young person, predators often send friend requests and approach teens with compliments or flattery they may also promise a romantic relationship. Visiting public social media profiles to find out more about the victim, including accessing the victim’s friend list and searching for other personal information that may harm their victim’s reputation.Threatening to commit suicide if the victim refuses to send images.Hacking accounts to steal sexual images.Pretending to be younger or a member of the opposite sex.Using multiple identities to contact the child.Secretly recording explicit videos and messages during chats.Developing a false rapport with the victim.The following are some common tactics these predators use to entice victims: The skilled, ruthless individuals carrying out this crime have honed their techniques and approaches to maximize their chances of success. HSI also collaborates with other law enforcement partners to bring sextortionists to justice. NCMEC is one of HSI’s most valued partners in the fight against sextortion. Currently, as many as 79% of predators seek money rather than additional sexual imagery. In a recent analysis by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, or NCMEC, financial sextortion is on the rise. Financial sextortion occurs when a predator demands money or gift cards in exchange for keeping their sexual images private. Traditional sextortion occurs when a victim is threatened or blackmailed into providing more sexual imagery the predator threatens to share their nude or sexual images with the public. Traditional sextortion versus financial sextortion Some even go so far as to take their own lives without knowing that help is available. Feeling embarrassed, hopeless and isolated, many of these teens have nowhere to turn. The emotional results for victims - especially kids - is devastating. ![]() This terrifying and dehumanizing violation feeds on victims’ shame. The predator then reveals that they’ve made the recording and threatens to post clips online if the victim doesn’t pay up. In some schemes, adult predators deceive and manipulate young males into engaging in explicit activity over video, which the predator secretly records. It starts simply enough: A teen responds to an online request to expose parts of their body on a webcam or send a nude photo to a new online “friend.” The next thing the teen knows, their new friend threatens to expose them by publicizing the photos - unless they pose for more explicit photos or send money. ![]() Adult predators pretending to be young girls feign romantic interest in the boys on gaming platforms, apps and social media sites. One current sextortion trend targets boys between 14 and 17 years old. In fact, Homeland Security Investigations received over 3,000 sextortion tips in fiscal year 2022. Sextortion - the act of threatening to share nude or explicit images - is more common than you may think, and cases affecting young children, teens and adults have increased exponentially in the past two years. ![]() Not long ago, making prank calls was the worst trouble a group of teens could get into with a telephone.īut today, predators use phones to stalk and blackmail teens on social media and dating apps. What it is and what parents can do to help prevent and stop it ![]()
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