(From the Dade County Sheriff's Office) The Dade County Sheriff’s Office is urging parents and caregivers to speak openly with their children about online safety following two recent sextortion cases in our county.
These troubling incidents involved teenage boys who were manipulated into sharing explicit images online by individuals posing as peers. Once images were exchanged, the victims were extorted for money and threatened with public exposure.
“This threat isn’t theoretical—it’s happening right here in Dade County,” said Sheriff Ryan Robison.
“These young people were targeted by criminals who know how to exploit vulnerability and fear. We want our families to be informed, proactive, and ready to support their kids through difficult conversations.”
Nationwide, sextortion scams are on the rise, and the FBI has issued a national public safety alert. Many of these schemes originate from overseas and occur on widely used platforms such as Instagram, Snap chat, and gaming apps.
Families are encouraged to:
- Talk with children regularly about online interactions.
- Familiarize themselves with the platforms and apps their kids use.
- Reassure their children they can come forward safely—without fear, shame, or punishment.
- Report suspected sextortion directly to the FBI at tips. fbi.gov or by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI.
“Our role as law enforcement goes beyond investigation— it includes education and prevention,” add ed Sheriff Robison.
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