Mississippi father says son’s suicide was result of sextortion scheme

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT/WTVA) – A Starkville father has revealed that his son’s suicide was the results of sextortion, a web-based scheme that usually ensnares teen boys between 14 and 17 years previous.

Brian Montgomery advised Fox Information his son Walker Montgomery killed himself on December 1. He was 16 years previous.

In line with his obituary, Walker excelled in each lecturers and soccer, and had “an innate and boundless appreciation and love for the outside.”

Brian stated that people from Nigeria extorted cash from his son over a video the tenth-grader made. He stated the perpetrators threatened to share the video if they didn’t obtain any cash from him.

Brian defined that the scheme normally begins by the scammer sending a message to their sufferer by means of social media, saying one thing alongside the strains of, “Hey, I do know anyone .” They’re usually pretending to be a lovely woman whereas doing this.

The daddy went on to say that, in Walker’s case, the scammers did a video chat with Walker which quickly included nudity between the scammer and Walker.

“On the opposite facet of that, they have been really videoing Walker,” Brian stated. After it was over, they then extorted the teenager boy for $1,000.

“The knowledge we collected exhibits that the strain Walker was below was insufferable. To the purpose that in this change, Walker lastly tells them, ‘Hey, I’m going to commit suicide. I’m going to kill myself.’ They usually reply with, ‘Go forward, since you’re already useless.’ As a father or mother, clearly, you hear that, and it’s heartbreaking,” Brian stated.

“I need folks to grasp the evil that’s on the market on this planet that’s after our children,” Brian continued.

Within the interview, Brian recommended the FBI, saying they’re working to convey the scammers to justice. He additionally warned of the quantity of scams on social media which may entice its younger customers.

He concluded with the next recommendation to oldsters: Don’t enable your kids to be alone with a cellphone. “As a result of they aren’t able to understanding the risks which are on the opposite facet of it.”

“Keep in mind, if this occurs to you, it’s by no means too late to get assist,” warned Mississippi Legal professional Common Lynn Fitch in a press launch relating to web security earlier this month. “Don’t be embarrassed, you’re not alone.”

She additionally provided a number of recommendations on how households can keep away from, cease and report the crime.

• If somebody threatens to launch specific images of you or your little one and calls for cash, cease responding.
• Don’t ship any extra pictures.
• Don’t pay them any cash.
• Take screenshots.
• Report and block the consumer.
• Report it to the CyberTipline at www.cybertipline.org.

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