Urgent warning over ‘sextortion’ scams targeting boys online as cops say teen killed himself after paying blackmailers

THE FBI has issued an urgent warning about sextortion scams just weeks after a teen killed himself after paying blackmailers.

Authorities nationwide are now warning parents about the internet scheme that is targeting teenage boys.

DeMay FamilyJordan John DeMay died by suicide in March after falling victim to a sextortion scam[/caption]

Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral & Cremation ServicesHis family shared his story in hopes of preventing other families from experiencing a similar tragedy[/caption]

Sextortion is when a scammer gets someone to send explicit pictures of themselves then demands money in exchange for not sharing the photos.

The scammers often pretend to be teenage girls in an effort to lure potential victims, FBI agents told WJAX, the CBS news affiliate in Jacksonville, Florida.

This is a dangerous scheme that has been seen more every year, authorities said, and it’s increasingly targeting teenage boys.

The warning came after Michigan teen Jordan John DeMay died by suicide after paying $300 to blackmailers in March.

The criminals threatened the teen by saying that they would release an explicit photo of him if he didn’t pay them $1,000, police said.

A South Carolina mom said a similar situation happened to her son.

She said the 14-year-old was contemplating suicide after sending a photo to scammers.

“To know that 14- to 15-year-old is being blackmailed to the degree that he was, and the things the adult was saying. It’s enough to even make an adult contemplate life,” the mother told WYFF.

“We thought we were doing everything we should as parents but with this sextortion stuff, it’s really not that simple. It goes so far beyond just online safety.”

Like DeMay’s family, the mother decided to share their story as a cautionary story for other teenagers and their parents.

“If it can happen to my child, it can honestly happen to anyone’s child. I never in a million years would have thought that my child would have spoken to someone he didn’t know,” the mother said.

She shared that her son is doing much better and is seeking justice.

Authorities are encouraging parents to take steps to help keep their children safe online.

The FBI encouraged the following:

Be selective about what you share online, especially your personal informationBe wary of anyone you encounter online for the first time. Block messages from strangersBe aware that people can pretend to be anyone online. Videos and photos are not always proofBe suspicious if you meet someone on a game or app and they ask you chat on another platform

If you or someone you know has been a victim of these schemes you are encouraged to reach out to the authorities.

If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or text Crisis Text Line at 741741.

A tribute to DeMay outside of a local high schoolDeMay Family