Online Attacker Sends Children Pictures Of Their Home In Scary Extortion Plot

Police are warning the public about online threats and extortion attempts that are making their way through social media throughout Prince George's County after threatened students were sent images of their homes, officials say.

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Photo Credit: *Unsplash/Frederik Lipfert*

Annie DeVoe

01/11/2023 3:49 p.m.

Prince George's Police are warning parents about attempts that are being made after at least four middle schoolers were targeted through Instagram and TikTok.

The students received threatening demands to their social media accounts to pay $1,000 or face harm.

Detectives are actively investigating and attempting to identify and arrest any individuals behind the threats.

When the children refused to pay, more messages were sent images of the children's homes from Google Maps. The name of the school is not being revealed to protect the children and discourage similar schemes from targeting other students.

Police are reminding the community to report any attempts at extortion immediately and to not attempt to handle the issue on their own or send any money.

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