Recent research reveals that nearly two-thirds of teenagers worldwide have been targeted by criminals engaging in “sextortion” schemes. These criminals aim to coerce their victims into participating in sexual activities or extorting money from them. A report published by Snap Inc., the parent company of Snapchat, in collaboration with the WeProtect Global Alliance, states that 65 percent of Generation Z teens and young adults have fallen victim to “catfishing” scams on popular social media platforms or experienced data breaches. In both scenarios, the criminals threaten or blackmail the young people using explicit photos and videos obtained from them. They demand money, gift cards, additional sexual content, or personal information in exchange for not disclosing the material to the victims’ friends and family. “Catfishing” refers to the act of impersonating someone else online to exploit others. The FBI explains that sextortion begins when a predator contacts a young person online through gaming websites, dating apps, or social media accounts. The predator poses as someone within the minor’s age group, showing interest in starting a relationship or offering something valuable. They can use gifts, money, and other tactics to convince the young person to send explicit images or videos. Afterward, the predator requests more explicit content. If the child refuses, the criminal may threaten to publish the existing content online or inflict other harm, thereby pressuring the victims to provide further explicit material. The Snap Inc. study surveyed over 6,000 respondents from six nations, including the United States. It revealed that 71 percent of respondents who fell into catfishing schemes were asked to share intimate imagery or personal information. Of these, 31 percent shared explicit imagery, while 30 percent disclosed personal information. Additionally, 25 percent of victims divulged private information about their family and friends. The report suggests that scammers’ motives may extend beyond immediate financial gains, potentially aiming to trap more individuals or entice others into engaging in sexual relationships or other interactions. In a public service announcement on June 6, the FBI cautioned the public about criminals who manipulate social media photos and videos, including those involving minors, by transforming them into sexual content. These materials are then shared on social media platforms or pornographic websites to harass victims or facilitate sextortion schemes. The FBI advises caution when posting photos and videos online and recommends parents to monitor their children’s online activities and conduct regular searches to determine the extent of their children’s publicly available information. The report by Snap Inc. also highlights that 56 percent of catfishing or hacking victims are male. It cites that affected young males often feel relieved when they share their situation with their parents. The report encourages victims to seek help from helplines, platforms, trusted adults, friends, or parents rather than facing the situation alone. The study found that 56 percent of respondents or their victimized friends sought help by approaching their friends, parents, or trusted adults, while 51 percent reported the incident to platforms, law enforcement, or hotlines. The FBI’s December 2022 press release revealed that law enforcement received over 7,000 reports of online financial sextortion of minors in the past year, resulting in at least 3,000 victims, primarily boys, and numerous suicides. Many of these schemes originate from countries outside the United States, particularly West African nations like Ivory Coast and Nigeria. Data from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) shows that their CyberTipline has received over 262,000 reports of online enticement, including sextortion, since 2016. Between 2019 and 2021, reports involving sextortion more than doubled. Previous analysis from NCMEC revealed that the primary motive of offenders was obtaining explicit images of children. However, reports from early 2022 indicated that 79 percent of offenders were now driven by financial motives. In a press conference on May 3, Jennifer Buta, the mother of a 17-year-old boy from Michigan who died by suicide after being a sextortion victim, urged parents to have open discussions with their children about the dangers of such scams and establish a plan for reaching out in case it happens to them. For those in the United States contemplating suicide, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline offers free and confidential support. Crisis Text Line provides access to a live, trained crisis counselor via a simple text message. The UK’s National Health Service also offers various resources on their website. Befrienders Worldwide has developed an app to connect distressed individuals with nearby emotional support centers.