Tag:

Sextortion

Fieldstone Middle School Student Arrested In Sextortion Investigation, Stony Point Police Say Fieldstone Middle School Student Arrested In Sextortion Investigation, Stony Point Police Say
Fieldstone Middle School Student Arrested In Sextortion Investigation, Stony Point Police Say A months-long sextortion investigation at a Rockland County middle school has led to the arrest of a young student, police announced. The Stony Point Police Department announced Wednesday, Sept. 17, that a Fieldstone Middle School student was taken into custody after victims came forward to report they were being coerced online.  Police said the case began in February 2025, when students reported the behavior to their school resource officer and administrators.   Investigators said around six victims have been identified so far, though they believe there may be hundreds more…
AI-Created Child Sex Abuse 'Tsunami' Flooding Internet, Advocates Warn AI-Created Child Sex Abuse 'Tsunami' Flooding Internet, Advocates Warn
Ai-created Child Sex Abuse 'Tsunami' Flooding Internet, Advocates Warn Children's safety advocates are warning about a dramatic rise in artificial intelligence-generated images and videos depicting child sexual abuse. The Internet Watch Foundation saw a 380% increase in reports of AI-created child sexual abuse material (CSAM) in 2024 compared to 2023. The United Kingdom-based watchdog said those reports uncovered 7,644 pictures and "a small number of videos" illustrating children being sexually abused. Nearly four in five (78.8%) of the reports involved images so realistic they were processed as if they were "real" CSAM under UK law. "The most …
Silver Spring Man Admits Sextorting 100+ Girls Worldwide—Some As Young As 5, Prosecutors Say Silver Spring Man Admits Sextorting 100+ Girls Worldwide—Some As Young As 5, Prosecutors Say
Silver Spring Man Admits Sextorting 100+ Girls Worldwide—Some As Young As 5, Prosecutors Say A "depraved and dangerous predator" in Maryland who preyed on more than 100 young girls across the globe is facing decades in prison, federal authorities announced on Wednesday.  Silver Spring resident Chase William Mulligan pleaded guilty to two counts of producing child sexual abuse material after targeting minors on social media and "sextorted them."  Specifically, through the scheme, prosecutors say that Mulligan coerced at least 108 girls — ranging from ages 5-17 — to send him sexually explicit photos and videos of themselves.  When the girls told him they no longe…
2 Newburgh Men Coerced Young Victims Into Sending Them Nude Photos, Feds Say 2 Newburgh Men Coerced Young Victims Into Sending Them Nude Photos, Feds Say
2 Newburgh Men Coerced Young Victims Into Sending Them Nude Photos, Feds Say Two men from Orange County face federal charges after allegedly extorting and coercing young victims into sending them sexually explicit photos in separate incidents, prosecutors announced.  Newburgh residents Carsen Mansfield, 23, and Lonnie Youmans, 22, were both arrested on Tuesday, April 29 on child pornography and extortionate interstate communications charges, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced this week. Both men are accused of obtaining sexually explicit pictures of young victims over the Discord communication platform, federal prosecutors …
Sextortion Of 30+ Children—Including In Chambersburg—Gets Florida Man 30 Years: USDOJ Sextortion Of 30+ Children—Including In Chambersburg—Gets Florida Man 30 Years: USDOJ
Sextortion Of 30+ Children—Including In Chambersburg—Gets Florida Man 30 Years: Usdoj A Florida man who sextorted children across the globe, including six minors in Central Pennsylvania, has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison, Acting U.S. Attorney John C. Gurganus announced on Thursday, April 24. Alvaro Andres Valarezo Sandoval, 35, an Ecuadorian national most recently residing in Miami, was handed the decades-long sentence by Senior U.S. District Judge Malachy E. Mannion after being convicted on two counts of "Production of Child Pornography", according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Sandoval exploited children in a calculat…
Discord App Exposes Kids To Child Predators: NJ AG Alleges In Suit Discord App Exposes Kids To Child Predators: NJ AG Alleges In Suit
Discord App Exposes Kids To Child Predators: NJ AG Alleges In Suit The Division of Consumers Affairs announced it is suing the Discord app, claiming it misleads parents and exposes children to predators, New Jersey Attorney Matthew Platkin announced on Thursday, April 17. The lawsuit claims Discord violated the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act, when it knew its safety features and policies could not protect kids who use the app, but refused to do better, Platkin said. Discord misled parents and kids about its safety settings for direct messages, Platkin alleges, leaving them vulnerable to sexual and violent content and to online predators who lurk in the app.…
Family Of Shippensburg University Coach Reveals Tragic Details Of Levi’s Death Family Of Shippensburg University Coach Reveals Tragic Details Of Levi’s Death
Family Of Shippensburg University Coach Reveals Tragic Details Of Levi’s Death Levi James Maciejewski, the 13-year-old son of Shippensburg University head football coach Mark Maciejewski, was the victim of a heinous online crime that has left his family and community reeling. The family revealed on Friday, Jan. 3, that Levi’s tragic death was caused by sextortion, which law enforcement has classified as a homicide. Mark Maciejewski, the head football coach at Shippensburg University, his wife Tricia, and their son Brady shared their grief in a statement released Friday, Jan. 3. They revealed that Levi’s life was cut short by an online predator who coerced, threatened, …
Animal Sex Abuse Material Found After VA Man Claims Sextortion, Authorities Say Animal Sex Abuse Material Found After VA Man Claims Sextortion, Authorities Say
Animal Sex Abuse Material Found After VA Man Claims Sextortion, Authorities Say A Virginia man is facing charges after being busted with unsavory imagery that included children and animals, police say. Scott Ryan Matthews, 31, of Mechanicsville, who originally reported being a victim of sextortion, was arrested this week for possession of child porn and sexual abuse materials related to animals. According to the Hanover County Sheriff's Office, Matthews' initial claim came on Tuesday, Sept. 24, and the investigation led to the uncovering of the illicit items. Matthews was taken to the Pamunkey Regional Jail, at which point he was charged on a warrant with 10 coun…
Warning Issued For Nationwide Automated 'Sextortion' Scam: Here's What To Know Warning Issued For Nationwide Automated 'Sextortion' Scam: Here's What To Know
Warning Issued For Nationwide Automated 'Sextortion' Scam: Here's What To Know Authorities are warning the public of a nationwide automated scam in which scammers use people’s email addresses to coerce payments by intimidating them with threats of embarrassment. Victims of the "sextortion" scheme, usually children and teens, are manipulated to photograph or video material for extortionists. "After receiving the sexually explicit content from the child, the offender threatens to release that compromising material unless the victim produces additional explicit material," said the FBI in issuing the warning to parents, educators, caregivers, and children. In a sepa…
Central Jersey Man Sextorted Boy He Met In Online Gaming Chatroom: Prosecutors Central Jersey Man Sextorted Boy He Met In Online Gaming Chatroom: Prosecutors
Central Jersey Man Sextorted Boy He Met In Online Gaming Chatroom: Prosecutors A Somerset man was accused of trying to get a boy to send him nude pictures and videos in a sextortion scheme, authorities said. Sebastian Romero, 27, was arrested on Friday, Aug. 2, Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia Bradshaw said in a news release. The investigation started after the boy's family contacted the Cinnaminson Township Police Department in July. Investigators said Romero met the boy online through an online gaming platform's chatroom and knew the boy was underage. He got personal information about the boy before offering to pay him with electronic gif…
Chambersburg Man Sextorted Woman After Snapchat Hacks: USDOJ Chambersburg Man Sextorted Woman After Snapchat Hacks: USDOJ
Chambersburg Man Sextorted Woman After Snapchat Hacks: Usdoj  A 25-year-old Chambersburg man has been sentenced in connection with the hacking of women's Snapchat accounts and subsequent sextorting of them, the US Department of Justice announced on Thursday, Aug. 1.  Reginald "Reggie" Adams was sentenced to 22 months in prison and three years of supervised release by Senior United States District Court Judge Michael Baylson "for hacking into numerous social media accounts and circulating the victims’ private photographs," United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero detailed in the release. Adams had previously pleaded guilty to wir…
Man Convicted Of 'Sextorting' Teen Through Snapchat, Sexual Assault At Atlantic County Hotel Man Convicted Of 'Sextorting' Teen Through Snapchat, Sexual Assault At Atlantic County Hotel
Man Convicted Of 'Sextorting' Teen Through Snapchat, Sexual Assault At Atlantic County Hotel A New York City man was convicted of blackmailing a teen into having sex with him at an Atlantic County hotel, authorities said. Zachary Williams, 37, was found guilty in federal court on Monday, July 22 of two counts of interstate travel to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor, production of and possession of child pornography, and coercion and enticement of a minor, New Jersey's U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger said in a news release.  According to court documents and trial evidence, Williams met the victim through Snapchat in September 2020. He told t…
Former Prison Guard Admits To Child Exploitation, Child Porn Offenses In Virginia: Feds Former Prison Guard Admits To Child Exploitation, Child Porn Offenses In Virginia: Feds
Former Prison Guard Admits To Child Exploitation, Child Porn Offenses In Virginia: Feds A former prison officer at the Coffeewood Correctional Center in Virginia is facing decades in prison after paying a minor in exchange for multiple sexually explicit images and video, officials say. Davey Jonathan Sisk, 29, pleaded guilty this week to federal charges in connection to child exploitation and child porn possession, authorities announced. According to court documents, between June 2023 and February, Sisk used the social media app "Telegram" to coerce another person to create and send him illicit photos or video of minors. During that time frame, one of the children was 3 and t…
Multi-State Sextortionist Of Children Arrested In Pennsylvania, Police Say Multi-State Sextortionist Of Children Arrested In Pennsylvania, Police Say
Multi-State Sextortionist Of Children Arrested In Pennsylvania, Police Say Police are looking for more victims after an accused sextortionist was arrested in Bensalem on Thursday, May 30, officials say.  Jonathan Brodecki, 21, surrendered to police on multiple felony charges Thursday, authorities said,  Investigators believe Brodecki, using the name Jack Goodric, used multiple fake social media accounts to sexually extort nine victims in several states. Police said he used his account to impersonate a teenage boy and convinced the victims to send him explicit photos.  When one victim, 15, attempted to break off contact with Brodecki, police said he…
SEXTORTION: Out-Of-State Fugitive Freed After NJ Senior Looking For Love Loses $20,000 SEXTORTION: Out-Of-State Fugitive Freed After NJ Senior Looking For Love Loses $20,000
Sextortion: Out-Of-State Fugitive Freed After NJ Senior Looking For Love Loses $20,000 A fugitive from Maryland charged with sextorting a New Jersey senior out of $20,000 online after getting him to take compromising selfies was immediately freed by a judge after surrendering to police. Posing as a woman, Ali H. Maman, 59, of Frederick, MD, communicated with an elderly Glen Rock resident through Instagram and WhatsApp, Police Chief Dean Ackermann said. The victim was convinced to share the risqué photos, then was contacted by someone else who demanded a $20,000 bank wire transfer in exchange for not posting them online, Ackermann said. The victim wired the money last July to…
Lebanon Sextortionist Sentenced After Swindling $150K From Victim: USDOJ Lebanon Sextortionist Sentenced After Swindling $150K From Victim: USDOJ
Lebanon Sextortionist Sentenced After Swindling $150K From Victim: Usdoj A Lebanon man has admitted to sextorting someone out of $150,000, according to a release by the US Department of Justice on Tuesday, April 30. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that 35-year-old John Anthony Zayas was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment by U.S. District Court Judge Sylvia H. Rambo on Wednesday, April 24.  Zayas previously pleaded guilty to "extortion by interstate communication" as stated in the release. In the fall of 2022, he had threatened to "publicize intimate photos and images of the victim" if they did not…
Private Pics Cost Glen Rock 'Sextortion' Victim $20,000, Police Pursue Fugitive Cyberthief Private Pics Cost Glen Rock 'Sextortion' Victim $20,000, Police Pursue Fugitive Cyberthief
Private Pics Cost Glen Rock 'Sextortion' Victim $20,000, Police Pursue Fugitive Cyberthief An elderly lonely heart from Glen Rock was “sextorted” out of $20,000 after sending compromising photos to a scammer he thought was a woman -- and was about to hand over another 20 grand when his bank mercifully refused, authorities said. Online romance scammer Ali H. Maman, 59, of Frederick, MD (photo above), has so far eluded authorities, Glen Rock Police Chief Dean Ackermann said this week. Posing as a woman, Maman communicated with the Glen Rock senior through Instagram and WhatsApp, the chief said on Wednesday, April 10. The victim was convinced to share the risqué photos, then w…
Threatening Repeat Rapist Gave Minors Booze, Pills In Maryland: State's Attorney Threatening Repeat Rapist Gave Minors Booze, Pills In Maryland: State's Attorney
Threatening Repeat Rapist Gave Minors Booze, Pills In Maryland: State's Attorney A 19-year-old man who plied minors with drugs and alcohol before sexually assaulting them will spend decades behind bars, the Frederick County State's Attorney's Office announced. Josiah Dalton Lindauere was sentenced on Tuesday to 36 years in prison with 14 years suspended after he was convicted of rape, sextortion and possession of a deadly weapon charges after he preyed on two minors. According to prosecutors, in March 2022, a School Resource officer in Frederick County was tipped off about the possible sexual assault of a student, which led investigators to Lindauere.  Detect…
They Steal Your Heart, Then Steal Your Money: Romance Scammers Make It Look Easy They Steal Your Heart, Then Steal Your Money: Romance Scammers Make It Look Easy
They Steal Your Heart, Then Steal Your Money: Romance Scammers Make It Look Easy It's heartbreaking to discover that someone you've become enamored with online isn't into you, but it’s even worse to realize that person just made off with $3,500 of your money. That’s what happened to a Glen Rock resident who ended up wiring the dough to a sweet talker in the Dominican Republic. Suffice to say: It wasn’t coming back. Although $3,500 is a significant sum to some, it’s couch cushion change compared with the $450,000 in crypto lost last year by another romance scam victim from Glen Rock. According to the Federal Trade Commission, a staggering $1.3 BILLION was lost by 70,000…
Predator Admits To Coercing Children Into Sexual Acts Through Social Media In DC Predator Admits To Coercing Children Into Sexual Acts Through Social Media In DC
Predator Admits To Coercing Children Into Sexual Acts Through Social Media In DC Federal officials announced that a District man has admitted to coercing nearly a dozen children to engage in unlawful sexual activity through online sextortion. Glenn Matthews 33, used his Instagram account to communicate with multiple minors over several months in 2020, during which he sent sexually explicit photos and videos of himself through the social media app. His victims were between 9 and 16 years old, according to federal prosecutors. “He enticed at least one of the minors to create images of themselves engaged in sexual activity,” they said. “Matthews also sought to meet up wi…
Sextortionist Coerced Minors Into Producing Porn In Maryland: State Police Sextortionist Coerced Minors Into Producing Porn In Maryland: State Police
Sextortionist Coerced Minors Into Producing Porn In Maryland: State Police Maryland State Police have apprehended an alleged sextortionist who is accused of coercing multiple minors into producing sexually explicit videos and later threatening to expose them if they didn't continue working for him. Prince George’s County resident Isaiah Poole, 21, of Suitland, is facing a host of charges after being arrested following an investigation by the Maryland State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force into the distribution of child pornography. In October last year, the Computer Crimes Unit launched an investigation into the possession and distribution of ch…
Maryland Man Sentenced For Posing As Teen Girl On Social Media To Entice Boys Maryland Man Sentenced For Posing As Teen Girl On Social Media To Entice Boys
Maryland Man Sentenced For Posing As Teen Girl On Social Media To Entice Boys A 25-year-old Maryland man who posed as a teenage girl on social media to exploit underage boys for illicit materials which he then sold for a profit has been sentenced to decades in prison. Baltimore resident Matthew K. Walsh, 25, has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison, followed by 30 years of supervised release for the sexual exploitation of a minor in order to produce child pornography.  Specifically, federal prosecutors say that Walsh created fictitious online profiles purporting to be a teenage girl to contact and induce underage boys between the ages of 12 and 17 to se…
FBI: ‘Sextortion’ Of Teen Boys Is Increasing, Here's What Parents, Guardians Should Know FBI: ‘Sextortion’ Of Teen Boys Is Increasing, Here's What Parents, Guardians Should Know
FBI: ‘Sextortion’ Of Teen Boys Is Increasing, Here's What Parents, Guardians Should Know Reports of adults ‘sextorting’ teenage boys into sending them sexual videos or photos online are booming, particularly involving victims 14 to 17 years old, the FBI warns. In 2021 alone, its Internet Crime Complaint Center received more than 18,000 sextortion-related complaints of various types, the bureau announced on Wednesday, April 13. A growing number involved late-teen boys targeted by predators posing as someone else, federal authorities said. It ordinarily begins with a contact through social media or on a gaming site. The adult predator or scammer "convinces the child to s…
DA: Ex Kutztown Football Player In 'Sextortion' Case Likely Did Same To Woman Before Her Death DA: Ex Kutztown Football Player In 'Sextortion' Case Likely Did Same To Woman Before Her Death
DA: Ex Kutztown Football Player In 'Sextortion' Case Likely Did Same To Woman Before Her Death The arrest of a 25-year-old former athlete in a massive Bucks County Snapchat "sextortion" case has given authorities a better idea of what may have happened in the months before the 2016 disappearance and death of Bensalem's Lindsey Piccone. Ian Pisarchuk was arrested the night of June 8, following a search of his Skyline Drive home on June 8, Bucks County DA Matthew Weintraub and Bensalem police said at a press conference Wednesday. The investigation began when police got a complaint from an alleged victim saying she had gotten messages from an unknown individual on SnapChat, We…
Feds: NY Man Who 'Sextorted' Underage Jersey Girl Nabbed By FBI When He Arrives In AC For Sex Feds: NY Man Who 'Sextorted' Underage Jersey Girl Nabbed By FBI When He Arrives In AC For Sex
Feds: NY Man Who 'Sextorted' Underage Jersey Girl Nabbed By FBI When He Arrives In AC For Sex A New York man who ruthlessly “sextorted” a minor into having sex with him at a hotel in Atlantic City was arrested by federal agents when he showed up, authorities said. Zachary Williams 33, told the victim that he was 17 when they first met on SnapChat last September, Acting U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Rachael A. Honig said Tuesday. Williams asked for and got nude photos of the victim, then threatened to send them to the Galloway Township teen’s family and friends, she said. “He ultimately convinced the victim to meet him at a hotel in Atlantic County and agreed to allow the victim to d…
FBI Asks For Help Identifying Possible Victims Of Westchester Man Facing Child Porn Charge FBI Asks For Help Identifying Possible Victims Of Westchester Man Facing Child Porn Charge
FBI Asks For Help Identifying Possible Victims Of Westchester Man Facing Child Porn Charge Authorities are asking for help in identifying possible victims from throughout the country in a sextortion investigation involving a New York man from Westchester County.  The FBI Westchester County Safe Streets Task Force and Port Chester Police Department issued the joint advisory on Friday, Feb. 5. Investigators arrested Jose Zafra on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, and charged him with the production of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), or what is commonly known as child pornography. Based on the criminal complaint filed in the Southern District of New York, investigators allege Zafra …
Bitcoin Scammers Claim To Have Compromising Videos Of Victims Bitcoin Scammers Claim To Have Compromising Videos Of Victims
Bitcoin Scammers Claim To Have Compromising Videos Of Victims Bitcoin scammers have been threatening to expose sensitive videos of their victims if they are not paid off. Fraudsters have been sending spam emails that allege they have recorded video of “you getting yourself off,” which they threaten to expose if they are not paid off. The emails claim that the scammer is from out of the country, and cannot be targeted by local law enforcement. Related story - COVID-19: Cybercriminals Using New Sextortion Tactics Amid Pandemic Scammers allege that based on their potential victims’ visiting “bad” websites that infected computers with malware, they now …
COVID-19: Cybercriminals Using New Sextortion Tactics Amid Pandemic COVID-19: Cybercriminals Using New Sextortion Tactics Amid Pandemic
Covid-19: Cybercriminals Using New Sextortion Tactics Amid Pandemic The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has provided cybercriminals the opportunity to get creative with their “sextortion” tactics as they exploit the pandemic, according to reports. In the past, criminals have targeted their victims by claiming they have embarrassing, salacious video proof, typically from a webcam, of a person watching sexual content. The scammers then seek to extort immediate payment in bitcoin or gift cards, threatening that otherwise, the alleged content will be disseminated on the Internet. However, according to new information released by the cybersecurity analysi…
Police Issue Alert For 'Sextortion' Phishing Scam In Fairfield County Police Issue Alert For 'Sextortion' Phishing Scam In Fairfield County
Police Issue Alert For 'Sextortion' Phishing Scam In Fairfield County Police in Fairfield County are warning residents of recently reported "sextortion" phishing scams and remind them of important safety tips to avoid being scammed. According to Fairfield Police Chief Christopher Lyddy, in recent weeks, the Connecticut Intelligence Center (CTIC) has received reports of "sextortion" scams that involve victims receiving an email from a purported hacker claiming to have hacked their computer and filmed them watching pornography.  The scammer then threatens to forward the material to all of the victim's contacts unless the victim pays a Bitcoin ransom, Lyddy…
FBI Reports Rise In Sextortion Of Children FBI Reports Rise In Sextortion Of Children
FBI Reports Rise In Sextortion Of Children Sextortion is defined as a criminal act that occurs when someone demands something of value, usually money, images of a sexual nature or sexual favors, from another person. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, there has been a rapid increase in the solicitation of these incidents from minors over the internet. The FBI reports that children ages 10 through 17 have been increasingly sexually exploited and ‘sextorted’ by internet predators. Fortunately, there are several steps parents can take to ensure the safety of their children when browsing the Internet and engaging in activit…