High schooler Jordan DeMay tragically took his own life after falling victim to a “sextortion” scheme on Instagram. His father, John DeMay, appeared on “America’s Newsroom” to shed light on the issue and raise awareness about the alarming rise in online crimes targeting young people. Sextortion involves bad actors enticing or blackmailing minors into engaging in sexual acts or sending money. The FBI reported over 13,000 cases of online financial sextortion between October 2021 and March 2023, involving at least 12,600 victims.
John DeMay expressed his deep concern about the extent of this problem and criticized social media companies for not taking sufficient action to prevent these crimes. He believes that the number of sextortion victims in the United States is much higher than reported, as many cases go unreported due to the stigma surrounding the crime. Victims often suffer in silence, unaware that justice is possible.
The tragic story of Jordan DeMay involves Nigerian scammers who hacked Instagram accounts and posed as women to coerce young men into exchanging explicit photos. Jordan complied with their demands for money, but the extortion continued, leading to his devastating decision to take his own life. The FBI defines sextortion as a criminal act where offenders contact minors online and coerce them into sending explicit images or videos in exchange for either more explicit material or money.
Financial gain motivates these offenders, and they often target vulnerable young individuals. Sextortion can lead to suicide and self-harm, and it is crucial to address this issue urgently. The average age of sextortion victims is between 14 and 17 years old, but any child can become a victim. Offenders primarily originate from African and Southeast Asian countries.
The FBI has noted a significant increase in sextortion incidents involving minors, with a 20% rise between October 2022 and March 2023. FBI Director Christopher Wray emphasized the importance of protecting the American public, urging parents, educators, caregivers, and children to learn about prevention and take steps to shield themselves from this crime.
John DeMay urged victims to come forward and report sextortion crimes, as it increases the chances of identifying and apprehending the perpetrators. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children offers a free service called “Take it Down” to help victims erase explicit images or stop their dissemination online.
It is crucial for anyone who believes they may be a victim of sextortion or knows someone who may be a victim to contact local law enforcement or the FBI immediately. The FBI provides a hotline at 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) and an online reporting platform at tips.fbi.gov.
The tragic story of Jordan DeMay serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address and combat sextortion crimes targeting minors. It is vital for society to come together to protect vulnerable young individuals and hold the perpetrators accountable.
