Protecting Users from Sextortion: Meta Removes Thousands of Accounts Linked to Scams
In a bid to combat the rising issue of sextortion, Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, recently removed tens of thousands of accounts and groups associated with this form of blackmail. Sextortion is a heinous crime in which scammers threaten to expose explicit images or videos of individuals unless they pay a ransom. While the majority of scammers targeted adults, some even went as far as targeting minors.
Meta’s efforts to tackle this problem were concentrated in Nigeria, where they removed approximately 63,000 Instagram accounts, including a coordinated network of 2,500 accounts. Additionally, they took down 1,300 Facebook accounts, 5,700 Facebook Groups, and 200 Facebook Pages, all originating from Nigeria. These platforms were being used by scammers to share tips, sell scripts and guides, and exchange collections of photos to create fake accounts.
To ensure these groups do not resurface, Meta’s systems have been automatically blocking any attempts made by these scammers to become active on the platforms again. Meta also reported the relevant accounts to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) as some of the victims targeted were minors.
The FBI has also observed a surge in sextortion cases involving minor victims in the United States, typically aged between 14 and 17. Tragically, there have been instances of young victims taking their own lives as a result of these financially motivated sextortion schemes. The FBI encourages victims to seek help and emphasizes that they are not alone in their struggle.
In a notable case, two Nigerian nationals pleaded guilty to sextortion attempts that specifically targeted teenage American boys, resulting in the death of one child. U.S. Attorney Mark Totten emphasized that these convictions send a strong message to predators in Nigeria that they will be found and brought to justice.
Meta’s crackdown on Nigerian sextortion accounts aligns with a 2024 report that highlighted Instagram as one of the most commonly used platforms for such crimes. The report also suggested that other platforms may be underreporting the issue. In response to this growing concern, Instagram announced new features in April 2024 aimed at protecting young users from sextortion and intimate image abuse.
One of these features is a nudity protection function, which is automatically enabled for all individuals under the age of 18 worldwide. When sexually explicit images are sent, the sender receives a cautionary message. This measure aims to create a safer environment for young users and deter potential predators.
Predators often target children through various online platforms, such as social media, livestreaming, online games, and messaging apps. They frequently create fake profiles of teenage girls or hack into existing accounts known to their targets. The FBI explains that the cycle of sextortion begins when young people are deceived into believing they are communicating with someone of similar age and interests. The predators may even offer something of value to gain the victims’ trust. Once they possess explicit content, they use threats of violence or exposure to coerce the victims into producing more such material.
The shame, fear, and confusion experienced by victims often prevent them from seeking help or reporting the abuse. The FBI stresses the importance of open discussions about online safety and encourages caregivers and young people to understand how these crimes occur.
If someone falls victim to a sextortion scam, the FBI advises them to report the predator’s accounts using the platform’s safety feature and block the perpetrator. It is crucial to save the predator’s profiles and messages as evidence for law enforcement. Predators are primarily located outside of the United States, with West African nations like Nigeria and Ivory Coast, as well as Southeast Asian countries like the Philippines, being common origins, according to the FBI.
While Meta’s efforts to remove thousands of accounts linked to sextortion are commendable, it is essential for individuals, especially young users, to remain vigilant and educated about online safety. By working together, platforms, law enforcement agencies, and users can create a safer digital landscape and protect vulnerable individuals from falling victim to these distressing crimes.
