CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The FBI Charlotte Field Office has seen an increase in financial sextortion crimes and the type of schemes being used. Across the country financial sextortion cases are skyrocketing. In North Carolina, from 2022 to 2023, FBI Charlotte saw a 20% increase in reports statewide.
The number of victims is likely much higher, as many cases are not reported. Financial sextortion happens when criminals create fake accounts on social media and coerce victims into sending explicit photos or videos, then threaten the victim to pay or have the images shared online wit heir family and friends.
In most cases, the predator poses as young girl and target teenage boys. However, we have had cases with teenage girls and adults also falling victim.
Recently, some of the criminals have also used artificial intelligence (AI) to manipulate photos from a victim’s social media account into sexually themed images, then share them on social media, public forums, or pornographic websites.
Paying the criminals, does not make the scheme, stop. They will continue to ask for more money.
If you or someone you know is the victim of financial sextortion:
1. It’s not your fault, you are not alone. Contact local law enforcement or the FBI at tips.fbi.gov or
the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at www.ic3.gov,
2. Do not delete anything on your device before law enforcement reviews it.
3. If sexually explicit images were shared online, visit the National Center for Missing and Exploited
Children's Take it Down tool or Is Your Content Out There? for potential removal.
The FBI recommends the following ways to protect yourself on social media or gaming platforms:
1. Be wary of anyone who attempts to connect to you online that you haven’t met in person. Block or
ignore messages from strangers.
2. Be aware people pretend to be anyone online. Videos and photos are not proof that a person is who
they claim to be.
3. Be suspicious if someone you connect with asks you to start communicating on a different
platform.
4. Encourage children to report suspicious behavior to a trusted adult.
More information about sextortion can be found at: FBI: Financial Sextortion
