Experts warn of sextortion cases among teens boys in Arizona

PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5) – Specialists are monitoring a disturbing development referred to as sextortion. It’s the place adults pose as teenagers on-line and ask children for sexual photos, then use them as blackmail. The Phoenix FBI stated there have been a number of reported incidents right here in Arizona.

“There are grownup men and women who’re preying on our kids by way of sexting for cash,” stated Katey McPherson.

McPherson is a baby advocate and stated a number of mother and father reached out to her, saying their teen boys have been victims of sextortion. Specialists say as soon as predators get sexual photographs from teenagers, they threaten to ship them to household and pals in the event that they don’t pay up. In keeping with McPherson, one Chandler teen despatched somebody hundreds of {dollars}.

“The individual is like, you must ship me $500, after which they are going to ship a photograph to considered one of their followers and pals of their contact checklist to show when can do that, and we are going to exploit you,” stated McPherson.

Sgt. Nick Alamshaw with the Scottsdale PD Human Exploitation and Trafficking Unit stated they observe instances like this on a regular basis. He stated it can be crucial for fogeys to have open conversations with their children and warn them about on-line risks.

“Have the discussions with their children and perceive that the photographs that they’re sending out and the communication that they’re having, that stuff is everlasting; as soon as that stuff is on the web, it’s exhausting to get away,” stated Alamshaw.

There are a number of apps that folks can obtain that monitor teenagers’ social media and telephones. To seek out extra sources and data, click on right here.

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