@guardian: “In less than a six-hour-long conversation, my son was dead.” Jenn Buta’s 17-year-old son Jordan DeMay took his own life more than two years ago after being targeted by “sextortion” scammers online. Financial sextortion is a distressing trend in internet fraud where teenagers are being tricked into sending intimate pictures of themselves to fraudsters who then demand money and threaten to share the material with others. It is the fastest-growing scam affecting teenagers globally and has been linked to more than 27 suicides in the US alone – although Buta fears the true number is much higher. The National Crime Agency says west Africa has become a hub for sextortion gangs, and a wave of sextortion-related arrests have taken place in recent months. The Guardian found that detailed instructions and video guides on how to commit this scam were available freely on YouTube and Telegram, with criminals offering specialist and tailored tuition for further payment. @Jenn hopes that by telling her son’s story she will help young people who are targeted by sextortionists. Watch the video to hear the advice that Jenn and many law enforcement agencies regularly give. Click the link in bio to read our reporting on how west Africa’s online fraudsters have move into sextortion. If you need advice on the issues raised in this video in the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123 or email [email protected] or [email protected]. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is _1-800-273-8255 "). In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at www.befrienders.org.

dm.to.stop.blackmail2 :

**

zealot_tech :

I will help all victims.,

FORENSIC_CORP :

Do you need help

Yours Truly, JoJo 🇺🇲🇵🇷🇪🇸 :

This can be prevented if parents speak to their kids. We need to speak to our kids like young adults and not children, letting them know what's up. You cant raise a weak child when the world is so evil. Poor mother, sending prayers.

JakeDoesStuff :

Unfortunately too many young men/boys fall for this scam because their parents aren’t aware what they should being teaching for internet safety. I learned the hard way when I was around 16 lol

dexcyber :

Any victim In need of help.

Cybertok :

Your life matters and you’re not alone 🤍

Momma_Bear🧸 :

This happened to a boy where I live, it’s so sad 😞

Cyberspace Dave01 :

@dagbot thanks for your help sir🥰

marlexacarrillo :

Poor baby this is disturbing and so sad

Jenn :

Thank you for sharing ❤️

gexcyber :

I will help all victims 💯

MASTER🎭 :

Do you need help?

Kristie :

That is tragic. I am sorry.

FORENSIC_CORP :

Do you need help

zealot_tech :

I will help all victims.

zealot_tech :

I will help all victims*

zealot_tech :

I will help all victims

zealot_tech :

I will help all victims"

zealot_tech :

I will help all victims,

dm.to.stop.blackmail2 :

zealot_tech :

I will help all victims*

zealot_tech :

I will help all victims.

zealot_tech :

I will help all victims.

dexcyber :

Any victims in need of help..