Cleveland officials warn teens after victim of unthinkable con took his own life

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – An unthinkable con finally result in the demise of a midwestern teen, in accordance with regulation enforcement.

Now, officers right here in Ohio and companions of the Cuyahoga County Rip-off Squad are warning about what they name a “sextortion” rip-off.

Sextortion shouldn’t be essentially a brand new idea, in accordance with Sue McConnell on the Cleveland space Higher Enterprise Bureau.

“It’s attempting to extort cash from somebody with a menace of exposing nude footage of them, movies of them,” McConnell stated.

We used to see it occur to individuals of all ages over e-mail.

Now nevertheless, McConnell says children on social media are at a larger danger.

“A teenager that this occurs to goes to be scared. They in all probability don’t need to inform their dad and mom. They don’t need to inform anyone. They need to do no matter they’ll to make it go away,” McConnell stated.

This spring the unthinkable occurred, after police say a teen was focused in a neighboring state.

Sheriff’s deputies in Michigan say they obtained permission to share 17-year-old Jordan DeMay’s story.

Police say the favored highschool senior thought he was speaking on-line with a woman.

Investigators consider he despatched nude footage of himself over Instagram in return for footage again however as a substitute…he rapidly discovered himself trapped.

The particular person on the opposite finish demanded $1000 or else the images would go to household and associates.

Demay despatched all he may provide you with – $300.

Hours later, a pal obtained one of many pictures and informed Jordan’s dad and mom, who informed investigators.

However — it was too late. Jordan was already gone. He took his personal life.

Due to Jordan’s demise, the BBB in jap Michigan put out a warning this week.

It’s a message McConnell is attempting to unfold earlier than any native teenagers fall sufferer.

“It may possibly go down this very horrible path fairly rapidly,” she stated.

So how do you assist your little one now?

• Be certain your teen is aware of by no means to just accept pal requests from somebody they don’t know — even when they declare to be associates of your pals.
• For the reason that scammers purpose is to get to know your little one earlier than they attain out, ensure their privateness settings have info locked down the place solely associates can see.
• Lastly, make your children use two-factor authentication and have them change their passwords repeatedly to keep away from being hacked.

To talk with an investigator or obtain written supplies that will help you defend your self from scams, you’ll be able to name the Cuyahoga County Division of Shopper Affairs at 216-443-SCAM (7226).

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