FBI Field Offices warn of increase in child sextortion schemes

FBI Field Offices in Little Rock and New Orleans warn parents about increases in child sextortion schemes.  

The FBI has received multiple reports “of predators posing as children on social media to coerce minors into sending sexual videos of themselves and then extorting money from these underage victims,” according to an official release.  

Connor Hagan, public affairs officer for the FBI Little Rock Field Office, said these schemes differ from traditional sextortion, where the child is often coerced to send more images. Recent reports show criminals are going after children for financial gain.

“What happens is once a child is manipulated into sending those sexually explicit images, at that point it becomes a blackmail scheme to get money,” Hagan said. “‘Give me your parents’ bank account information.’ Or, ‘Read me your mom’s credit card number.’ Or,  ‘give me your Amazon account login information, otherwise I’ll send this to your church or your school or your parent’s workplace.’ It’s really a despicable scheme.”