HARTFORD, Conn. (WTIC Radio) - The F.B.I. is renewing its warnings about sextortion crimes amid an uptick in such crimes in the U.S.
Sextortion begins when an adult offender contacts a minor over an online platform used to meet and communicate, like a social media app or a game.
The scheme advances when the offender uses deception and manipulation to convince the victim to send unclothed photos or other inappropriate media to the offender.
The offender then essentially holds the victim and their media ransom for "...money, more photos, or in-person meetings..." to prevent the photos from being posted further online, according to Kurt Siuzdak, a cyber security professor at Quinnipiac University and former Supervisory Special Agent with the F.B.I.
The city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania has recently seen an uptick in sextortion crimes, particularly targeting teenage boys. There have been nearly 60 victims since the beginning of 2022 in Pittsburgh, with victim losses of around $20,000.
"One of the problems is when police [and] the F.B.I. aren't getting complaints because people are embarrassed," remarks Siuzdak. "Children are concerned about testifying and parents are feeling ashamed of their children and don't want to report it," he adds. But, Siuzdak reminds the public sextortion is a crime and that it should be reported.
"There is no reason to ever take a photograph of yourself without clothes on your camera because it's not private...and you can expect it's going to get out," comments Siuzdak on methods to cut down on the risk of falling victim to sextortion. "Using family protections [on apps and social media] is a good start, and it's free."
