The FBI warns that victims of sextortion are facing an evolving threat, with criminals using advancing technology to target new victims. Perpetrators are finding victims on messaging apps like Instagram, Snapchat, and even kids’ games like Roblox. The use of artificial intelligence (A.I.) to groom victims is a growing concern, with criminals becoming more adept at exploiting technology to their advantage.
Robin Bolz, a survivor of sex crimes and founder of Unsilenced, a trauma-informed organization, highlights the changing landscape of grooming techniques faced by victims today. FBI Special Agent Aaron Eastham notes that criminals are using technology to crop victims’ faces onto nude images to blackmail them. The FBI identifies two types of sextortion: sexually motivated targeting girls ages 10-17, and money motivated targeting teen boys, with professional criminals often posing as young females to lure victims.
The consequences of sextortion can be severe, with victims being driven to take their own lives due to the relentlessness of perpetrators. Bolz emphasizes the importance of educating the community about the threat and providing trauma-informed support for victims. Those in immediate danger are urged to call 911, and those in need of mental health support can contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. The FBI and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children Cyber Tipline also offer assistance for those facing sextortion. UnSilenced, Bolz’s organization, aims to provide support for victims of sex trafficking in the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo areas.
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