The ABC7 Chicago I-Team has an alert on sextortion.
It involves threatening letters delivered through email or direct message, claiming to have compromising videos, but they're scams.The FBI says it's affecting people of all ages across the Chicago area and the country.
One email was received by an ABC7 employee. The threat-filled message has the employee's address and phone number, and claims to have an explicit video, demanding payment, or else."And I've got access to all of your emails, contacts, and social media accounts too," the message said.SEE ALSO: "If you throw out a wide net, you're more likely to catch more victims," Chicago FBI Special Agent Ashley Kizler said.Sextortionists who send these letters can be bluffing about having those images, or they can screenshot images on apps. Sometimes they even put a victim's face onto fake images. "A lot of times we have seen them superimpose our victim's faces onto bodies that are not theirs, and that incites panic," Kizler said. "The best thing you can do is preserve any messages. Obtain usernames or email addresses. Don't respond.""The demand doesn't stop once they know they've been able to get money from you the first time. They will probably attempt several more times," Kizler said."We've seen sextortion targeting minors, building rapport with a minor, not necessarily a teenager, then asking for illicit pictures," Kizler said. "You need to have an open line of communication about this."If you get a message like this, don't respond. Save it, and report it to the FBI at
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