The Rising Threat of Sextortion and Its Devastating Consequences
Sextortion is one of the fastest-growing cybercrimes in North America, and it is having tragic effects on teenagers, particularly young men. Financial sextortion is a type of blackmail in which predators exploit vulnerable teens by threatening to release private, often explicit content unless they meet a financial demand. This crime, which targets children aged 13 to 17, has been linked to at least 30 suicides since 2021, according to FBI reports and cybersecurity experts.
One case that stands out is that of James Woods, a 17-year-old high school senior from Streetsboro, Ohio. James, a passionate comic book fan and track athlete, was looking forward to attending the Dream Con comic book convention with family and friends. His life was tragically cut short when he died by suicide, leaving his parents shocked and searching for answers. Upon reviewing James’ phone, they discovered that he had fallen victim to a financial sextortion scheme.
“James, who had not previously shown signs of mental health struggles, was targeted and manipulated by predators,” his mother, Tamia Woods, recalls.
The sextortionists sent more than 200 messages to James in just 19 hours, threatening him with prison time, the loss of his future, and the humiliation of having his private images exposed to friends and family. They successfully erased his desire for a future.
How Sextortion Works: A Dangerous Cycle
The tactics used by these predators are disturbingly effective. Initially, the conversations appear harmless. A predator might send a seemingly innocent message like, "Hey, I found your page through suggested friends," before quickly steering the conversation toward sexual content. They often move the conversation to a more private platform, like Snapchat or WhatsApp, and then begin the blackmail.
The threats escalate quickly: the predator will often accuse the teen of being a criminal and warn that they will be added to a sex offender registry if the victim doesn't comply. They may also threaten to release compromising images to social media contacts, exacerbating feelings of isolation and fear. This, in turn, discourages teens from reaching out for help, as they fear judgment and further punishment.
The Tragic Case of Jordan DeMay
Another heartbreaking case involved 17-year-old Jordan DeMay from Marquette, Michigan. Jordan received a message from a girl on Instagram, claiming to be a student from Texas. After exchanging intimate photos, the conversation turned dark. The predator demanded money, and when Jordan refused to pay, they threatened to release his images. The scammers took over his bank account, leaving Jordan with no options.
Despite sending the scammers the $300 he had saved for a car payment, they demanded more. Jordan confided that he was suicidal, only to receive a chilling response: “We’re going to watch you die a miserable death.” Less than six hours after the first message, Jordan died by suicide.
The predators behind this attack were Nigerian brothers Samuel and Samson Ogoshi, who, in 2024, were sentenced to prison after being extradited to the U.S. for their involvement in sextorting over 100 victims, including 11 minors.
The Disturbing Reality: Teenagers Are Not Alone
Unfortunately, these cases are far from isolated. Many teens fall victim to the same type of manipulation, as demonstrated by 15-year-old Braden Markus from Columbus, Ohio. Just after a weekend of family fun and football praise, Braden’s life was turned upside down by a predator who convinced him to send nude images. Within 30 minutes of receiving the blackmail threat, Braden took his own life.
As more cases like Braden’s and James’ surface, the urgency for public awareness grows. Parents, communities, and schools need to take immediate action to protect children from becoming victims of these dangerous scams.
How Parents Can Protect Their Teens
In response to the growing threat, experts suggest that conversations about online safety should begin early. Melissa Stroebel, Vice President of Research and Insights at technology nonprofit Thorn, emphasizes the importance of having a “stop, drop, and roll” plan in place with your teen.
“Make sure they know what to do if they find themselves in a risky situation,” Stroebel says. The goal is to help kids react swiftly if they are ever targeted, minimizing the chances of falling victim to predators who thrive on creating fear and urgency.
Additionally, South Carolina state representative Brandon Guffey, whose son Gavin died by suicide after being sextorted, championed Gavin’s Law in 2023. This law classifies sextortion as a felony, mandating that local school districts educate students about the crime. “We need to attack this from all sides,” says Guffey.
The Importance of Open Conversations
Building trust is critical. A 73-year-old Colorado grandmother shared how her grandson turned to her for help after he was targeted. She encouraged him to speak to his parents, which helped him feel supported and safe. “It’s critical that teens have someone they can trust and know won’t judge them,” she says.
Experts agree that these open conversations, alongside community education, are vital to combatting the increasing risk of sextortion. Hurley, an expert on cybersecurity, stresses the need for parents to work together to create a safer environment for their children both online and offline.
Sextortion Must Be Addressed, Now!
The rise of sextortion is a devastating reality that is taking an emotional toll on families across the country. While technology can open doors to new experiences, it also brings vulnerabilities that predators are quick to exploit. However, with more awareness, early intervention, and a unified community effort, we can reduce the number of lives lost to this horrific crime.
What can we do? Talk to your teens, make sure they know how to spot the signs of sextortion, and ensure they understand the importance of reaching out for help. As James’ mother, Tamia Woods, tragically puts it, “James didn’t know he was a victim.” It’s time we help our children recognize the dangers before it's too late.
Here's a list of trusted websites and resources where teens can turn to for help if they are attacked by sextortion:
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Thorn
Website: https://www.thorn.org
Description: A nonprofit organization focused on protecting children from online exploitation. Thorn provides resources for both teens and parents, and tools for reporting sextortion. -
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC)
Website: https://www.missingkids.org
Description: NCMEC provides resources for reporting sextortion and other online exploitation. The Cybertipline helps teens report online abuse anonymously. -
Cybertipline
Website: https://www.cybertipline.com
Description: A service operated by NCMEC, allowing individuals to report online exploitation, including sextortion. This tool is crucial for victims to report and seek help. -
Stop Sextortion
Website: https://www.stopsextortion.org
Description: A site offering specific advice on how to get help, report sextortion, and protect privacy for those targeted by cybercriminals. -
Cyberbullying Research Center
Website: https://www.cyberbullying.org
Description: While focused on cyberbullying, this resource also provides essential guidance for dealing with sextortion, including prevention and how to report the crime. -
TeenLine
Website: https://www.teenlineonline.org
Description: A peer-to-peer helpline where teens can talk about their issues, including sextortion, through phone, text, or online chat. It’s a supportive space for those who feel they have nowhere else to turn. -
The Jed Foundation
Website: https://jedfoundation.org
Description: The Jed Foundation provides resources for mental health support, suicide prevention, and emotional well-being. While it’s not focused specifically on sextortion, it offers crucial information on coping with challenges and emotional distress, including those related to online exploitation.
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