The frightening blackmail ruse arrived by text to a New Mexico resident recently.
The message warned the victim that one of his social media accounts had been hacked, and that his private photos and information were circulating to others. The cost of putting a stop to it: $400.
Next, the victim got a text message from someone claiming to be with the Albuquerque Journal, saying that the stolen goods would be published in the paper “by 9” unless the victim paid up whatever “you can afford.”
This kind of scam is called sextortion, in which the hacker claims to have stolen private images or video and threatens to make them public.
The recent advisory from the FBI in New Mexico cited “an explosion” of these cases that are targeting children.
The agency said it received 168 online tips or calls about possible cases in New Mexico through Dec. 19, although it says some of the tips might reference the same incidents. That compares to 38 such tips or calls in the same period last year.
The agency describes a “horrific increase” in reported schemes that target male teens through fake female accounts. The predator convinces the young person to produce and send explicit images, and then threatens to release them publicly unless the victim sends money or gift cards, the FBI says.
It says adults should discuss this crime with their kids and should report it by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI, or online at tips.fbi.gov.
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