Sextortion

Sextortion is a crime in which adult cybercriminals coerce children and teenagers into sending explicit images online. It is very important that parents, caregivers and young people better understand what sextortion is, how to protect themselves against it and how to talk about this growing and devastating threat.

General description - modalities.

Sextortion can begin on any site, app, messaging platform, or game where people meet and communicate.

In some cases, the offender's first contact will be a threat. The person may claim that they already have a revealing photograph or video of a child that will be shared if the victim does not send more photographs.

However, most often this crime begins when young people believe they are communicating with someone their age who is interested in a relationship or someone who is offering something of value.

After criminals have one or more videos or images, they threaten to publish that content, or threaten violence, to get the victim to produce more images.

The shame, fear, and confusion children feel when they become trapped in this cycle often prevent them from asking for help or reporting the abuse. Parents, carers and young people need to understand how crime occurs and openly discuss online safety.

Financial Sextortion:

Financial Sextortion is different from traditional Sextortion.

In these cases, the offender receives sexually explicit material from the child and then threatens to reveal the compromising material unless the victim sends money and/or gift cards. The amount requested varies, and the offender often discloses sexually explicit material about the victim regardless of whether or not the victim receives payment. This growing threat has resulted in an alarming number of deaths by suicide.

The individuals who carry out this type of crime are skilled and ruthless and have perfected their techniques and approaches to maximize their chances of success.

A young person's entry point can be any number of mobile or online sites, apps or games.

The approach can come in the form of compliments, flattery or the intention of starting a romantic relationship.

Another entry point is to offer kids something they value in exchange for a quick photo. This could be the possibility of a modeling contract; online game credits or codes; or money, cryptocurrencies and gift cards.

The third common entry point is to go straight to threats, either stating that they already have a picture of the young person that they will distribute or threatening to harm the child or other people or things that the child cares about. Once perpetrators have the first image, they use the threat of exposure or other harm to keep the child producing increasingly explicit material.

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