'Sextortion' Of Young Boys On Rise In St. Pete: Police

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — The FBI and local police are working together to crack down on sextortion of “a highly vulnerable group of victims: young boys,” according to a St. Petersburg Police Department news release.

Earlier this year, the agency saw a significant increase in cases where young victims are befriended on social media and dating apps and asked to share nude photos.

Once they send the photos, they are threatened that unless they send money, their photos will be shared to their friends and family, SPPD said.

“We want to raise awareness about sextortion and prevent this from happening. The solution is simple: don’t send nude photos. Your image could last a lifetime on the internet,” Chief Anthony Holloway said.

The FBI’s Tampa field office is also seeing an increase in sextortion cases, specifically those targeting young males between the ages of 13 and 17.

“If there’s one thing I want teens to know it’s this: the person asking you for a nude photo is not who you think it is,” FBI Tampa Special Agent in Charge David Walker said. “Parents, please have an open and honest conversation with your child about sextortion. Make it clear they are not to blame and will not be in trouble if they’ve become a victim.”