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DENVER – The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) is raising the alarm about a significant rise in financial sextortion schemes targeting teenage boys, with these incidents reaching unprecedented numbers and often leading to severe consequences.
Callahan Walsh, son of child safety advocates John and Revé Walsh and a key leader at NCMEC, says the surge in cases is unlike anything they’ve seen.
“After COVID, there was a dramatic change in sextortion patterns,” Walsh stated to Fox News Digital. “Teenage boys have become primary targets for these schemes seeking financial benefit, typically orchestrated by criminal groups from overseas.”
Walsh further elaborated that these criminals often disguise themselves as peers on gaming platforms and social media apps. By doing so, they manipulate boys into sending explicit photos. Once a photo is sent, they immediately commence blackmail.
People are seen holding pictures of victims during a U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee hearing titled “Big Tech and the Online Child Sexual Exploitation Crisis” in Washington, D.C., on January 31, 2024. (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images)
Nonetheless, Patel emphasized that law enforcement alone can’t solve this issue. “The FBI can’t tackle this on its own,” he pointed out. “Social media platforms, private sectors, and internet service providers that allow generative AI to thrive must assist. We need a resolution with our partners in Congress and the private sector.”
Britt committed to collaborating with the FBI and her Senate partners to put an end to sextortion, describing it as a national crisis that requires collaboration, prompt action, and innovative solutions.
“What are you doing to protect children and specifically sextortion?” she demanded, underscoring the hearing’s central question.
Walsh, who now co-hosts “America’s Most Wanted” with his father, says the pain of his brother Adam’s loss continues to drive NCMEC’s mission.
Adam Walsh who was kidnapped and killed in Hollywood, Florida. (AP)
“We always said we need to make sure Adam didn’t die in vain. And if his song is to continue that, we must do the singing. We try to do that every day,” Walsh said about keeping his brother’s legacy alive.
“Adam’s disappearance changed the way we look for and protect children in America,” he continued. “Every child deserves a safe childhood.”
When asked about his goals for the coming years, Walsh smiled and said he hoped to one day be out of a job.
“I would love to say every missing child’s been found. There’s not going to be any more missing children. And we’ve eradicated exploitation online. That’s our goal,” Walsh shared. “We want to put ourselves out of a job. Unfortunately, we’re not there yet, and I don’t know if that’s going to happen in 5 or 10 years, but we’re trying, and we really look towards the tech industry to help us with that.”
Stepheny Price covers crime, including missing persons, homicides and migrant crime. Send story tips to stepheny.price@fox.com.
