Financially Motivated Sextortion Cases on the Rise, FBI Charlotte Warns
Report financially motivated sextortion to tips.fbi.gov.
The FBI Charlotte Field Office has seen an increase in financially motivated sextortion crimes and the type of schemes being used. Across the country, financially motivated sextortion cases are skyrocketing. In North Carolina, from 2022 to 2023, FBI Charlotte saw a 20% increase in reports statewide. The number of victims is likely much higher, as many cases aren't reported.
Financially motivated sextortion happens when criminals create fake accounts on social media and coerce victims into sending explicit photos or videos, then threaten the victim to pay or have the images shared online with their family and friends.
In most cases, the predator poses as a young girl and targets teenage boys. However, we've had cases with teenage girls and adults also falling victim.
Recently, some of the criminals have also used artificial intelligence to manipulate photos from a victim’s social media account into sexually themed images, then share them on social media, public forums, or pornographic websites.
Paying the criminals doesn't make the scheme stop. They'll continue to ask for more money.
Recently, some of the criminals have also used artificial intelligence to manipulate photos from a victim’s social media account into sexually themed images, then share them on social media, public forums, or pornographic websites.
Paying the criminals doesn't make the scheme stop. They'll continue to ask for more money.
Is Your Content Out There? If you or someone you know is the victim of financially motivated sextortion:
- It’s not your fault, and you're not alone. Contact local law enforcement or the FBI at tips.fbi.gov or the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov,
- Don't delete anything on your device before law enforcement reviews it.
- If sexually explicit images were shared online, visit the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's Take It Down tool or Is Your Content Out There? for potential removal.
The FBI recommends protecting yourself on social media or gaming platforms in the following ways:
- Be wary of anyone who attempts to connect to you online that you haven’t met in person. Block or ignore messages from strangers.
- Be aware people pretend to be anyone online. Videos and photos aren't proof that a person is who they claim to be.
- Be suspicious if someone you connect with asks you to start communicating on a different platform.
- Encourage children to report suspicious behavior to a trusted adult.
More information about sextortion can be found at fbi.gov/financialsextortion.
Financially Motivated Sextortion
Sextortion is a crime that involves adults coercing kids and teens into sending explicit images online. The FBI has several resources to help caregivers and young people better understand what sextortion is, how to protect against it, and how to talk about this growing and devastating threat.
The Financially Motivated Sextortion Threat
The FBI this week issued a new warning about an evolving online threat targeting minors and young adults: financially motivated sextortion.
Sextortion: What Kids and Caregivers Need to Know
Sextortion is a crime that involves adults coercing kids and teens into sending explicit images online. The FBI has several resources to help caregivers and young people better understand what sextortion is, how to protect against it, and how to talk about this growing and devastating threat.
