SEXTORTION IS A GROWING THREAT FACING MINNESOTA FAMILIES
It can happen anywhere, including the Mille Lacs Reservation
By VIVIAN LaMOORE, INAAJIMOWIN EDITOR
Sex crimes against children — and adults, for that matter — can be initiated from anywhere on the internet, including social media outlets such as Instagram, SnapChat, Facebook, and others. And for parents and guardians, something as personal as sex may be a difficult and awkward topic to discuss with your children. But having a frank and honest talk about the risks with your child can make all of the difference and may even help save a life. Mille Lacs Band Tribal Police are moving in cooperation with the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to become an affiliate task force member through a pending Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) for Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.
Sextortion is a growing issue in Minnesota, including many reservations. What is sextortion? Read this scenario provided by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety and the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension:
A Minnesota boy makes a new friend in an online game. He thinks it’s a cute girl around his age. After chatting for a while, she sends him a nude photo of herself and asks for one in return. He sends a photo and suddenly his new friend stops being friendly. She is actually an overseas criminal who demands money or says that photo will be sent to his parents and friends. Panicked and ashamed, the boy has no idea what to do next.
According to the BCA, this and similar scenarios play out every day in homes around Minnesota. Financial sextortion is a growing issue affecting children and families in our state and around the country. Sextortion happens when someone tricks a person into sending them explicit photos then demands something in return for not sharing the photos. The extortionist often demands more pictures, videos, meeting for sex acts or money. The recent rise in cases has primarily been financial sextortion — simple blackmail.
“We already investigate these types of crimes,” said James West, Mille Lacs Tribal Police Chief. “The pending JPA for Internet Crimes Against Children, ICAC with the BCA will make the Band’s law enforcement an affiliate task force member, giving us more resources, man power, and overtime compensation to handle these crimes.”
Law enforcement nationwide received more than 7,000 reports related to online financial sextortion involving children in 2022, according to the FBI. They identified at least 3,000 victims, primarily boys. Tragically, more than a dozen children committed suicide because they felt there was no way out from the sextortion scheme. FBI data shows a large portion of these cases originate outside the U.S., primarily in West African countries. That makes these cases extremely difficult to investigate or prosecute. Prevention is the best way to keep children safe.
“Educating both parents and children is key,” West said. “It doesn’t matter where you live. If your child uses the internet, they are at risk. Family members and trusted adults are the first line of defense when your child is online. Talk with your kids about being safe, especially when meeting new people and sharing images or videos. Have open lines of communication. Children need to know they have somewhere to turn. If you believe a child has been victimized, please let them know they haven’t done anything wrong and they can come to you if this or something like it happens to them. Let them know they are not in trouble, they are not alone, and there is help available.”
The JPA with the BCA is expected to be finalized soon. However, Tribal Police can help now, and already has investigated similar crimes on the Reservation. If you believe a child in your care has been a victim in sextortion, or any other criminal activity, don’t wait. Tribal Police can help now. Please contact Tribal Police at 320-532-3430.
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety posted a video of a Minnesota mom who learned that lesson firsthand just a few weeks ago when her son fell victim to a sextortion scheme. In the video, she recounts how quickly the criminals manipulated her son into sending explicit pictures of himself. Thankfully, he went to his parents for help. BCA Predatory Crimes agents are now investigating this case, along with many just like it involving families around the state. You can watch the video at https://tinyurl.com/2p8bkhwx
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) has outlined steps parents and caregivers can take if their child falls victim to a sextortion scheme:
• Get help before deciding to pay. Cooperating with the demands rarely stops the extortion or harassment.
• Report the predator’s account via the platform’s safety feature.
• Block the predator but do not delete the profile or messages because they could be useful to law enforcement.
• NCMEC can help you get the images off the internet if they were posted.
Resources available:
FBI resources and conversation starters: https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/safety-resources/scams-and-safety/common-scams-and-crimes/sextortion
NCMEC: https://www.missingkids.org/theissues/sextortion
Safe Harbor Regional Navigators (MN only): https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/safeharbor/response/navigators.html
Suicide Crisis Line: Call 988 or visit https://988lifeline.org/