The
FBI released the below information:
The
FBI and our international law enforcement partners are issuing a joint warning
about a global financial sextortion crisis. Our agencies have seen an explosion
in incidents of minor boys around the world being coerced into sending explicit
images online and extorted for money—a crime called financial sextortion.
In
2022, the FBI received thousands of reports related to the financial sextortion
of minors, primarily boys, representing an exponential increase from previous
years. Unfortunately, the FBI is also aware of more than a dozen suicides
following these incidents. Today, on Safer Internet Day, we are urging children
and caregivers to educate themselves about this crime and help us protect
others from being victimized.
"Financial
sextortion has a far wider impact than just our country and our kids—it is a
global crisis that demands everyone’s attention," said FBI Director
Christopher Wray. "The FBI is working hand-in-hand with our international
partners to prevent children from becoming victims of this tragic crime. We all
have a duty to support and empower victims to come forward and show them that
there is life after images."
Financial
sextortion can happen anywhere, although it mainly occurs on the digital
platforms where children are already spending their screen time, like social
media and gaming websites, or video chat applications. On these platforms,
predators often pose as girls of a similar age and use fake accounts to target
young boys, deceiving them into sending explicit photos or videos. The predator
then threatens to release the compromising materials unless the victim sends
payment, however, in many cases, the predator will release the images anyway.
Even
though financial sextortion is committed virtually, it can have serious impacts
offline. After the threats and aggression, victims may feel alone, ashamed,
scared, and these feelings can lead to children resorting to self harm. Law
enforcement around the world wants victims to know they are not in trouble,
they are not alone, and there is life after pictures.
What to do
if you are being financially sextorted:
- Remember, the
predator is to blame, not your child or you.
- Report the
predator’s account via the platform’s safety feature.
- Block the predator
and do not delete the profile or messages because that can be helpful to
law enforcement in identifying and stopping them.
- Ask for help from a
trusted adult or law enforcement before sending money or more images.
Cooperating rarely stops the blackmail and harassment, but law enforcement
can.
- Trust that there is
life after images.
If young people are being exploited, they are victims of a crime
and should report it. We encourage you to contact your local FBI field office,
call 1-800-CALL-FBI, or report it online at tips.fbi.gov.
Michelle DeLaune, CEO, National Center for Missing &
Exploited Children:
“We understand how young victims of this crime can feel like
there’s no way out, but we want them to know that they’re not alone. In the
past year, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children has
received more than 10,000 sextortion-related reports. Please talk to your
children about what to do if they (or their friends) are targeted online. NCMEC
has free resources to help them navigate an overwhelming and scary situation.”
Gord Sage, Chief Superintendent, Sensitive and Specialized
Investigative Services, Royal Canadian Mounted Police:
“The RCMP is pleased to be working with international law
enforcement partners to help to ensure young people are protected online. These
crimes are real, they have serious implications, and young people need to
understand that police are there to support them. These offenders prey on young
people and this is not acceptable. International police are united in our fight
against these crimes.”
Robert Jones, Chair, Virtual Global Taskforce, National Crime
Agency:
“International cooperation has never been more important in
tackling the threat of online child sexual abuse. The strength of the Virtual
Global Taskforce (VGT) comes from being able to share expertise and take rapid
coordinated action against emerging global trends such as the rising threat of
financial extortion. As chair, I am determined to maximise every opportunity
afforded by the VGT to help us to continue to bear down on the threat, protect
children and target offenders.”
“Whilst we are committed to doing everything we can, the most
important reminder of Safer Internet Day is to continue having open
conversations about online safety within our communities and especially with
the young people in our lives. Thankfully there is an arsenal of preventative
tools available globally to support caregivers, professionals and young people
such as the Safer Internet Day activities, and the CEOP Education website in
the UK.”
Chief Myron Demkiw, Police Chief, Toronto Police Service:
“Online sexual offences do not have any borders, and through our
Internet Child Exploitation (I.C.E) Unit the Toronto Police Service is proud to
join our Canadian and international law enforcement partners in this important
prevention campaign. Our I.C.E unit works tirelessly to protect children and
youth from Internet child exploitation, including financial sextortion and to
bring those responsible to justice. We all have a role to play in protecting our
children and youth and partnerships like this will ensure we are raising
awareness and effectively sharing prevention information around these harmful
crimes, not just locally but around the world.”
Resources by Country
- USA
- Australia
- Canada
- Canadian Centre for Child
Protection
- Cybertip.ca
- RCMP: National Child
Exploitation Crime Centre
- Public Safety Canada
- Toronto Police Service
- Alberta Law Enforcement
Response Team
- New Zealand
- United Kingdom
No comments:
Post a Comment