NORFOLK, Va. — Last month, FBI Norfolk’s Field Office staff spoke to local high schoolers about the dangers of sextortion.
However, Special Agent in Charge Brian Dugan with FBI Norfolk says parents need to be aware as well.
“Your children, even here in Hampton Roads, are being targeted," Dugan said.
The FBI says it's seen an increase in financial sextortion cases targeting children. Financial sextortion is when someone is coerced into sharing explicit photos or videos of themselves. Then, they’re blackmailed to pay up.
“What they do is they if you don’t want your parents to see this or teachers or friends, send me money," Dugan explained.
According to the FBI, perpetrators use social media and chat rooms to target children. While victims are typically teenage boys, it can happen to anyone.
From October 2022 to March 2023, the FBI saw at least a 20% increase in reports of financial sextortion involving children compared to the same time the year before. Agents in Hampton Roads received at least 14 reports.
Dugan says the best advice for parents is to be as non-judgemental as possible.
“If we look at things as a discipline issue, the kids are never going to come to us and tell us about this funny person that reached out to me and is asking for weird pictures," he explained. "If they can freely talk to adults about that, the safer they’ll be.”
Dugan said some signs parents can look out for are behavioral changes and if your child is being more secretive with their device.
If you believe you or someone you know may have been targeted, you can report it t by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI or by clicking here.