Crazy.. and this is why we need to stop these criminals, we need more people to be involved with cyber security
?? Every parent needs to know about this cybercrime because it's killing kids at an alarming rate. ?? This is a public safety emergency. It's called financial sextortion, and it's surging up 18,000% according to NCMEC. The FBI just issued another round of alerts across the country. ?? It was Christmastime when Murray (16) received a friend request on social media. She sent him some revealing photos and enticed him to do the same. ?? "She" turned out to be scammers located in Nigeria. These criminals threatened to leak Murray's photos to all his friends/followers unless he paid a ransom. Hours into their ruthless threats and tormenting, Murray took his own life. ?? "We were just a normal family of five, 'til the next morning we're down to four, with a huge Murray-shaped gap that's never going to go away." ?? These criminals have killed at least 30 teens in the past 24 months. Cases are accelerating. ?? "ITV News has seen dozens of videos linked to scammers operating overseas, showing how-to guides on blackmailing. We found multiple accounts promoting these scams on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok sharing detailed methods of how to extort someone—some with hundreds of thousands of views. ?? Here's what parents need to know: - Almost all of the financial sextortion targeting minors starts on Instagram, Snap Inc., or Wizz, according to NCMEC. - Criminals are using catfish accounts to send hundreds of thousands of follow requests to boys on Instagram, impersonating young females. The moment the teen accepts, the criminal takes screenshots of his Follower and Following lists. - Then, the criminals lure the kids to Snap, where they coerce the kid to send an explicit photo. Boom. Now, the relentless blackmail starts. “I have your nudes and everything needed to ruin your life… unless you send me $300 right now.” ?? Here's what kids need to know: - Criminals can send what appear to be “live” photos and videos on Snapchat with the Red and Purple icons, but are actually pre-recorded videos. The catfishes are more convincing than ever. - Criminals can screenshot and save Snapchat videos, bypassing the notification that typically alerts users when a screenshot has been taken. - The moment an Instagram user accepts the follow request of a scam account, their follower/following lists are compromised. This gives criminals immense leverage to use as blackmail, threatening to send the compromising photos to all friends and family. These lists are the primary source of leverage in nearly all financial sextortion schemes targeting minors. There's no setting to keep them private. - If it happens, do not pay. Talk to a parent/adult. Help is available. Report to NCMEC Cybertip and IC3. ?? The criminals are organized. We need to get organized too. Join us to fight this crime: https://lnkd.in/eHRYyDcm #cybercrime?#sextortion?#childprotection?#parenting?#safetybydesign