The FBI Detroit Field Office—Grand Rapids Resident Agency will be hosting a second webinar focusing on the dangers of Sextortion. The first webinar delved into the topic of online child sexual exploitation. This will be held on Thursday, April 17, 2025, at 6 p.m.

Sextortion is a serious crime that occurs when someone threatens to distribute your private and sensitive material if you don’t provide them images of a sexual nature, sexual favors, or money.

Participants can expect the presentations to provide an overview of what sextortion looks like, information on threat indicators and signs of exploitation, and examples of how this crime has impacted Michigan, especially the west side of the state.

“FBI members in Michigan are hosting a series of informative webinars to raise awareness about the dangers of sextortion and online sexual exploitation. These webinars aim to educate the public and actively combat these harmful trends by fostering open and honest conversations while providing vital, life-saving resources,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, special agent in charge of the FBI in Michigan. “Our investigations have shown that many young people with access to cell phones or other electronic devices are increasingly targeted by predators with malicious and deeply disturbing intentions. We remain committed to tirelessly working to disrupt and investigate these dangerous individuals who seek to exploit and harm our youth through sextortion.”

The Detroit Field Office has provided suggested information and tips on how to protect your loved ones from being victims of sextortion:

• Be selective about what you share online.
• Block or ignore messages from strangers.
• Be wary of anyone you encounter for the first time online or of anyone that wants to move to a different platform to have a conversation.
• People can pretend to be anything or anyone online, and their videos or photos are not proof of who they say they may be.
• Any content you create can be made public and you have little control over where it is shared next.
• Do not send any money or additional content to the blackmailer.
• Don't be ashamed. Ask for help. If you are receiving messages or requests online that don’t seem right, block the sender, report them to the platform’s safety administrators, tell a trusted adult, or the FBI

If our youth are being exploited, they are a victim and should report it. The FBI has staff dedicated to assisting victims of a crime.

To submit a tip to the FBI, contact your local FBI field office, call 1-800-CALL-FBI, or make a report online at tips.fbi.gov.

To join the sextortion webinar, click here and follow the prompts. Meeting ID: 992 840 970 169 Passcode: xx2du9DQ. To dial by phone, +1 304-848-3555, 708637250# United States, Phone conference ID: 708 637 250#.