Video Transcript

Rebecca Day: I'm Rebecca Day, Special Agent in Charge of the Anchorage FBI, which serves all Alaskans.

In our state, the FBI is tracking a rapid number of children being targeted by a dangerous crime called sextortion.

Sextortion is a form of blackmail when an individual threatens to expose nude or sensitive photos unless their demands are met.

It's a crime that impacts children as young as 7 up to high school-aged young adults.

Typically, these criminals demand that children send them money or gift cards. They threaten to share compromising photos with the child's friends and family. 

The FBI has observed at least a 20% increase in reporting of this crime.

Children and young adults are targeted on social media via cell phones, tablets, and on gaming platforms and apps. Even if the children in your life don't personally own one of these devices, their friends do.

These blackmailers are savvy and know how to zero in on a child's greatest vulnerabilities. 

The FBI encourages you and your family to have an open and honest conversation about sextortion. Encourage children to speak to a trusted adult.

If you suspect that someone has been a victim of sextortion, please contact local law enforcement or the FBI directly at 1-800-CALL-FBI or at tips.fbi.gov. 

The FBI also has resources online about this crime and how you can keep your loved ones safe.

Together, we can put an end to sextortion.