Opinion: Cyberpredators are targeting teen boys with a new scam, sometimes with a tragic end

The majority of guys on social media are the target of financial sextortion, which is said to be the fastest-growing crime aimed at children in North America. —Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash

Financial sextortion has been reported as the fastest-growing crime targeting children in North America. According to reports by the FBI, Federal Trade Commission and Network Contagion Research Institute (NCRI), it is happening at alarming rates.

Paul Raffile of the NCRI told me “virtually all males on social media are targeted,” which is what I see day in and day out in the Treasure Valley.