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Video Transcript

THIS IS AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM THE FBI IN MICHIGAN

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 PREVIOUSLY EXCHANGED NUDE OR SENSITIVE PHOTOS UNLESS THEIR DEMANDS ARE MET. YOU MAY THINK THAT THIS CRIME ONLY IMPACTS HIGH SCHOOL-AGED STUDENTS. IT DOES NOT. THE FBI HAS SEEN VICTIMS IN MICHIGAN AS YOUNG AS SEVEN YEARS OLD.

TYPICALLY, FINANCIAL SEXTORTERS DEMAND THAT CHILDREN SEND THEM MONEY OR GIFT CARDS. THEY THREATEN IF CHILDREN DO NOT COMPLY, THEY WILL SHARE THEIR COMPROMISING PHOTOS WITH THE CHILD’S FRIENDS AND FAMILY. THE FBI HAS OBSERVED AT LEAST A 20% INCREASE IN REPORTING OF THIS CRIME. IN MICHIGAN ALONE, FOUR CHILDREN SINCE 2021 HAVE DIED BY SUICIDE AFTER BEING TARGETED.

THIS BLACKMAIL HAPPENS ON SOCIAL MEDIA, VIA CELL PHONES, TABLETS, AND ON GAMING PLATFORMS AND APPS. EVEN IF THE CHILDREN IN YOUR LIFE DO NOT HAVE ONE OF THESE DEVICES CURRENTLY, THEIR FRIENDS DO. THESE BLACKMAILERS ARE SAVVY AND KNOW HOW TO ZERO IN ON CHILDREN’S GREATEST VULNERABILITIES.

THE FBI ENCOURAGES YOU AND YOUR FAMILY TO HAVE AN OPEN AND HONEST CONVERSATION ABOUT SEXTORTION.

ENCOURAGE THE CHILDREN IN YOUR LIFE TO SPEAK TO A TRUSTED ADULT. IF YOU SUSPECT THAT SOMEONE HAS BEEN THE VICTIM OF SEXTORTION, PLEASE CONTACT LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OR THE FBI DIRECTLY AT 1-800-CALL-FBI OR AT TIPS.FBI.GOV. THE FBI HAS RESOURCES ONLINE ABOUT THIS CRIME AND HOW YOU CAN KEEP YOUR LOVED ONES SAFE.

YOU AND YOUR CHILD HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SAVE SOMEONE’S LIFE. TOGETHER, WE CAN PUT AN END TO SEXTORTION