Offenders trick and manipulate victims into creating explicit material to blackmail them . The FBI wants to alert parents , educators , caregivers , and children about the dangers of online activities that could lead to minors being coerced into engaging in sexual acts . Sextortion occurs when an offender pressures a minor into sending explicit images or videos and then threatens to expose them unless the victim provides more . These offenders are driven by sexual gratification . Financially motivated sextortion is a criminal act where offenders force minors to create and send explicit material . They threaten to release it unless they receive payment , often in gift cards , mobile payments , wire transfers , or cryptocurrency . These offenders are motivated by financial gain , not just sexual satisfaction . Victims are usually boys between 14 and 17 , but any child can be targeted . Offenders involved in financially motivated sextortion are typically located outside the United States , mainly in West African countries like Nigeria and Ivory Coast , or Southeast Asian countries like the Philippines . These crimes can lead to self - harm and even suicide . From October 2021 to March 2023 , the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations received over 13 , 000 reports of financially motivated sextortion involving minors . There were at least 12 , 600 victims , mostly boys , and at least 20 suicides resulted from these incidents . In the six - month period from October 2022 to March 2023 , the FBI noted a 20% increase in reports of financially motivated sextortion incidents involving minors compared to the previous year . "Sextortion is causing serious consequences nationwide , " stated FBI Director Christopher Wray . To protect the public , the FBI urges parents , educators , caregivers , and children to educate themselves on how to safeguard against this crime . Law enforcement will relentlessly pursue those responsible for this despicable activity . If you or someone you know is a victim of sextortion or financially motivated sextortion , report it immediately to the authorities . You can contact the FBI at 1 - 800 - CALL - FBI ( 1 - 800 - 225 - 5324 ) or submit a report at tips . fbi . gov . For more information on sextortion and financial sextortion , visit fbi . gov/sextortion and fbi . gov/financialsextortion . The Financially Motivated Sextortion Threat The FBI recently issued a warning about a new online threat targeting minors and young adults: financially motivated sextortion . Sextortion is a serious crime where adults manipulate young people into sending explicit images online . The FBI has some helpful resources to educate caregivers and youngsters on what sextortion is , how to stay safe from it , and how to discuss this alarming and harmful issue .

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