Homeland Security has issued a warning that online child “sextortion” exploitation is on the rise in Chicago. Since the inception of the internet, parents have had to face many concerns over their children’s safety.
Blackmailers MO
Sextortion is another way to say sexual extortion. Furthermore, it is a form of blackmail where the extortionist threatens to share a sexual image, video, or naked picture of someone unless that person gives in to their demands. Moreover, the blackmailers will often target individuals on social media, gaming apps, or even online dating forums.
The blackmailers modus operandi (MO) is to pretend to be attracted to a person. Normally, it will start off friendly with a getting to know one another period. Then they will pretend to share similar interests as their target in an effort of gaining their trust.
Afterward, they will begin to slide in sexualized conversations in order to trick their targets into sending them nudes or sexual images/videos. Additionally, they may even record their target during live chats. This technique is one well used by sexual predators “grooming” a youth under the age of 18.
Online Dangers
The growth of social media platforms and the internet has made it easier for child predators to connect with potential victims. Meaning, parents need to be wary of online interactions and not just what is happening at playgrounds anymore. In addition to presenting new dangers to youth, it has also caused new challenges for law enforcement.
“Social media and the internet is the playground of 2023, because the predators go where the children go,” stated Special Agent Steve Moran. “Now we’re seeing doctors, lawyers, teachers, police officers – we’re seeing all walks of life as the offenders.”
In 2014, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children passed one million cyber-tips for child sexual abuse material. Last year, that number surpassed 32 million. Experts believe that number is still likely just the tip of the iceberg.
Most Troubling Trends in Chicago
Homeland Security agents stated the Chicago Area has one of the most troubling trends, sextortion. Special Agent Moran explained how these individuals obtain “an explicit image or video of a child.” Then, they “threaten the child to send more under the threat that they’ll release it to their parents or their school or their friends.”
As a result, Homeland Security Investigations is invested with sharing their presentation with area schools and community groups. “After we do these presentations almost every time we get somebody that comes up and we either get a disclosure from a victim or a friend of a victim, or we get a disclosure from a parent explaining that they went through this, but they didn’t know what to do,” added Supervisory Special Agent Jennifer Finerty.
Anyone wanting to have Homeland Security do their free presentation they can do so by calling 630-458-7400. Or they can be reach by emailing iguardianchicago@hsi.dhs.gov.
By Sheena Robertson
Sources:
ABC7: Online child exploitation risks grow, federal agents say; ‘sextortion’ on the rise in Chicago area
eSafetyCommissioner: Deal with sexual extortion
Featured Image Courtesy of eltpics‘ Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Eric delcroix‘s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
