FBI Warning: Sextortion Predators Targeting Idaho Kids

Idaho parents should be alarmed that predators and scammers are targeting their children in hopes of involving them in Sextortion. Law Enforcement and community groups have been sounding the alarm concerning preteens and teens being forced into human trafficking. 

The FBI has now issued a report warning Idahoans and Americans that they've seen a massive increase in children being scammed into sending nude or semi-nude photos of themselves to strangers. The FBI calls in Sextortion.

According to the FBI, criminals will reach out to victims through an app or any online platform, claiming to have compromising images of that person. They threaten to send the photos out if the victims do not send them explicit photos. 

The second sextortion technique involves young people believing they're talking to a peer. However, it is not a peer but a predator who demands more photos, once again threatening to release the compromising photos. 

Financial Sextortion occurs when the predator demands money to prevent the release of photos to the public. The FBI says the monetary demands are not exact, and the criminals usually release the images regardless of how they get paid.

How serious is Sextortion, and what is its impact on young people? They say the increase in predatory online actions against young people has increased the number of suicides. 

What can you do? Here is some relevant information from the FBI.

If young people are being exploited, they are the victim of a crime and should report it. Contact your local FBI field office, call 1-800-CALL-FBI, or report it online at tips.fbi.gov.

The FBI also has staff dedicated to assisting victims of crime. Learn more about our Victim Services Division and know your rights if you are the victim of Sextortion and your images have been posted online. 

Click the link here to find a further guide on how to help protect our young people and how to prevent your child from becoming a victim of Sextortion.