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Sextortion Scheme Exposed: International Criminals Target Young Men in the US
A recent arrest in a sextortion scheme has shed light on the growing wave of international criminals targeting young men in the US. Cross Cole, a 21-year-old citizen of Ghana, was charged with extorting a young man from Buffalo, New York, using illicit photos obtained through hacking. The case highlights the complexities of these attacks and the increasing involvement of foreign nationals.
The arrest of Cross Cole, a 21-year-old citizen of Ghana, has brought attention to the growing wave of sextortion schemes targeting young men in the US. Cole was charged with extorting a young man from Buffalo, New York, using illicit photos obtained through hacking. The case began with a breakthrough in surveillance camera footage from the lobby of a building down the street from the US Capitol, which provided a crucial lead in the three-year search for the perpetrator. The footage, combined with an FBI affidavit, revealed that Cole had accessed the victim’s email account and social media, obtaining naked photos of the victim and a friend, both of whom were minors at the time.
The Rise of Sextortion Cases
Sextortion, in which schemers threaten to release illicit photos of victims unless they pay, has surged nationwide. According to FBI records, there has been a nearly 500% increase in reports of sextortion since 2019. Safety experts and federal law enforcement officials attribute this growth to the increasing involvement of foreign nationals, who are targeting children and young adults in the US. The FBI and safety groups have been working to raise awareness about these cases, which often involve young men who are less likely to report the incidents.
How Sextortion Schemes Work
Sextortion schemes typically involve schemers who hack into victims’ social media accounts or lure them into sharing illicit photos by pretending to be someone of a similar age. In some cases, suspects may also use generative AI to create fake images or videos. The perpetrators then threaten to release the photos unless the victims pay them. In the case of Cross Cole, the victim sent $200 to the CashApp account but cancelled the payment after speaking with his father. However, the victim continued to receive multiple text messages from the same telephone number, making threats and demands.
Key Highlights of the Case
* Cross Cole, a 21-year-old citizen of Ghana, was charged with extorting a young man from Buffalo, New York.
* The case involved the use of illicit photos obtained through hacking.
* The victim’s email account and social media were compromised.
* The perpetrator threatened to release the photos unless the victim paid.
* The FBI tracked down an IP address linked to Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., which led to the identification of Cole.
Impact of Sextortion on Victims
Sextortion can have a devastating impact on victims, particularly young men who may feel ashamed or embarrassed to report the incident. Ryan Last, a victim of sextortion, died by suicide hours after being threatened by schemers. His mother, Pauline Stuart, has spoken out about the need for awareness and support for victims of sextortion. “People have no idea how targeted our teenage boys are right now,” Stuart said.
Efforts to Combat Sextortion
The FBI and safety groups are working to raise awareness about sextortion and to track down and stop perpetrators. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children has reported a significant increase in cases of sextortion, with many involving foreign nationals. The Justice Department has also taken action, arresting four men in Côte d’Ivoire on criminal charges related to their alleged role in an international sextortion scheme.
Quotes from Experts
* “These cases are like something we’ve never seen before,” said Lauren Coffen, director of the Exploited Children Division at the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
* “People have no idea how targeted our teenage boys are right now,” said Pauline Stuart, whose son died by suicide after being threatened by sextortion schemers.
* “Oftentimes in these cases, there are very young victims,” said Michael Digiacomo, the US attorney for the Western District of New York. “The perpetrators will say ‘Just send me the pictures and I’ll leave you alone.’ And the victims think (sending money) is the easy way out or the only way out.”
Conclusion
The case of Cross Cole highlights the growing wave of sextortion schemes targeting young men in the US. The involvement of foreign nationals and the use of technology to hack into victims’ accounts have made these cases increasingly complex. It is essential to raise awareness about sextortion and to support victims who may feel ashamed or embarrassed to report the incident. By working together, we can combat sextortion and protect our children and young adults from these devastating attacks.
Keywords: sextortion, international criminals, young men, US, Ghana, hacking, illicit photos, FBI, safety groups, awareness, support, victims, technology, foreign nationals.
Hashtags: #Sextortion #InternationalCriminals #YoungMen #US #Ghana #Hacking #IllicitPhotos #FBI #SafetyGroups #Awareness #Support #Victims #Technology #ForeignNationals #Cybercrime #OnlineSafety #ChildProtection #Justice.
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