Local authorities see uptick in online predators, sextortion cases

(LAWRENCEBURG, Ind.) – Local authorities are seeing an increase in sextortion cases targeting children and teenagers in our area.

Dearborn County Sheriff’s Office Detective Derek Stevens serves on the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force and describes the spike in cases as significant. 

Police say the crimes often begin with a friend request or message sent on Snapchat, TikTok, Discord, Telegram or another social media app.

“They may spend time building trust before asking the child to move the conversation to another app or platform,” police said.

The conversation may turn to where the victim is persuaded to send an explicit photo or video.

That’s when the offender threatens to send the explicit images to the victim’s family, friends, school or other social media contacts unless the victim sends money or more explicit images. 

Parents are being urged to speak with their children about these online dangers. 

“Make sure they understand that people online are not always who they claim to be and that they should never feel too embarrassed or afraid to ask for help,” police said. 

Red Flags to Look For: 

Individuals committing sextortion can be extremely manipulative and may use several tactics to gain a child’s trust, including:

• Creating a fake identity and pretending to be another young person

• Developing a false friendship or romantic relationship

• Using multiple accounts or identities to contact a child

• Secretly recording explicit videos, images, or conversations

• Offering money, gift cards, gaming credits, or other incentives for pictures

• Accessing public social media profiles, friend lists, and personal information

• Threatening to share explicit images with family, friends, classmates, or others

• Demanding money or additional images to prevent the material from being released

If Your Child Becomes A Victim:

• Do not pay the offender.

• Do not send additional images or videos.

• Do not delete the messages or accounts before preserving evidence. Save screenshots, usernames, messages, payment requests, and other information.

• Report the incident immediately.

• Most importantly, make sure your child knows they can come to you for help.

  
  

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) operates the CyberTipline for reporting suspected online child sexual exploitation and provides resources to help victims and families.

The Dearborn County Sheriff’s Office is also available to assist with concerns, questions, or reports involving suspected sextortion or online exploitation.

RELATED: A member of the Indiana State Police hosted a seminar about online dangers and human trafficking earlier this year. Watch that video by clicking this link.