The FBI warns families about the rise in online ‘sextortion’ as criminal organizations begin using artificial intelligence (AI) to blackmail teenage victims with faked sexually explicit images are doing.
In financial sextortion, criminals often force minors to send sexual photos or videos of themselves and threaten to publish the content unless they pay a fee.
“Criminals are threatening to release their infringing materials unless they receive payment, which is often requested in the form of gift cards, mobile payment services, wire transfers, or virtual currency,” the FBI’s Little Rock, AR. the branch office said. Said on January 25th press release. “These criminals are motivated by financial gain and not necessarily just sexual gratification.”
Most of the victims are teenage boys, but the bureau claims that “any child can become a victim.”
The criminals are usually members of criminal organizations located outside the United States, primarily in West Africa and Southeast Asian countries.
From October 2021 to March 2023, the FBI and Department of Homeland Security Investigations received more than 13,000 reports of online financial sextortion against minors across the United States, with at least 20 victims reported. It led to suicide.
The FBI observed an increase of “at least” 20% in reports involving minor victims over the six-month period from October 2022 to March 2023 compared to the same period last year.
Currently, the FBI’s Charlotte, North Carolina field office is ring alarm sounds AI sextortion:
These days, some criminals are using artificial intelligence to manipulate photos from their victims’ social media accounts to create sexually themed images that they share on social media, public forums, or pornographic websites.
Paying criminals won’t stop this plan. They will continue to demand more money.
The FBI recommends protecting yourself on social media and gaming platforms by:
Be wary of people who try to connect with you online when they’ve never met you in person. Block or ignore messages from strangers.
Be aware that there are people who pretend to be someone else online. Videos and photos do not prove that person is who they say they are.
Be suspicious if the person you are connecting to requests to initiate communication on another platform.
Encourage children to report suspicious behavior to a trusted adult.
west african sextortion group Breitbart News reported in January that the group, known as the “Yahoo Boys,” is contributing to the rise in reports of online sextortion.
Recent information shows that cybercriminals have a significant presence on social media platforms such as Instagram, Snapchat, and Wizz. study of the Network Infection Research Institute (NCRI).
The institute found that Yahoo Boys posted training videos and guides to TikTok, Scribd, and YouTube to help others carry out financial sextortion scams on social media platforms. .
The NCRI also noted that such materials published on various platforms had garnered more than 500,000 views.
“Child exploitation is a reprehensible crime and will not be tolerated by the FBI,” said Special Agent in Charge Alicia Corder of the FBI’s Little Rock Field Office. “Our office will continue to work with federal, state, and local law enforcement to protect Arkansas’ children from sextortion and hold these predators accountable.”
