DEARBORN COUNTY, Ind. (WKRC) – Investigators in Dearborn County are warning parents after seeing a sharp spike in sextortion cases, with seven new reports in the last week.
That is a significant increase from the usual pace of about one case every one or two months, according to investigators. The recent cases involve popular social media and messaging platforms, including Snapchat, TikTok, Discord, and Telegram.
Investigators in Dearborn County are warning parents after seeing a sharp spike in sextortion cases, with seven new reports in the last week. (WKRC, Provided)
Sextortion is a crime in which suspects create fake profiles, gain a victim’s trust, and then manipulate the victim into sending nude photos or videos. The suspects then threaten to expose the images unless they are paid, either with cash or gift cards.
Investigators are urging parents to stay involved in their children’s social media and online activity and to educate them about online dangers.
“You know, one thing I try to tell a lot parents is try to keep the electronics out of the bees, the basement, the bedroom, and the bathroom. Whenever a kid has access to their device and privacy like that is when we tend to see issues like this arise,” said Carl Pieczonka, chief deputy of the Dearborn County Sheriff’s Office.
If a child becomes a victim, authorities say not to pay the offender and to preserve all messages as evidence. Investigators also encourage parents to make sure children know they can come to them for help.
Investigators said most suspects are not local and can be difficult to track.
