The Grayson County Sheriff’s Office is urging parents and guardians to diligently monitor a child’s online activity.
“Quick reminder to parents: Monitor your child’s online presence. Monitor their phones and internet activity. There are predators, scammers, and evil, evil people out there that will try to extort your child,” the sheriff’s office said in a social media post.
The post continues by saying to never allow children to send “an inappropriate photo of themselves to anyone.”
“Ninety-nine percent of the time, it’s not a 15-year-old girl they are sending it to. It is not a 13-year-old boy they are sending it to,” the GCSO stated. “And even if it is, that photo is out there FOREVER.
“Normally, it is a grown man or woman on the other end waiting to extort you and your family for money in exchange for not posting the photo. Guess what? They will post it anyway and try to extort you for more money.”
The sheriff’s office added that the person “on the other end” is from a foreign country and will use AI (artificial intelligence) or other technology to conceal their identity.”
If you have been a victim of sextortion, you are encouraged to call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI, or the Internet Crimes Against Children at 502-782-9769, or Kentucky State Police.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
