An increasing number of adolescents globally, including at least two cases from our own nation, have tragically taken their own lives as a consequence of a deeply concerning phenomenon known as ‘financial sextortion’, according to experts in the field. Parents and children are being alerted about this life-threatening menace which has been the driving factor behind several cases of youth suicides all over the globe. Information security analyst, Shiva Bissessar, emphasizes the pressing need for raising awareness about this problem, so that these tragic incidents do not occur in vain. He stresses that these grave offenses are not limited to particular geographies and nations such as Trinidad and Tobago are also not exempt from it.
Just last week, there were reports about the 42nd recorded teenager suicide in North Dakota, a direct result of financial sextortion since its emergence in late 2021. The startling account of relentless coercion that the victims face, released from North Dakota’s case files, resonated closely with instances that have happened elsewhere too. The case in question involved a 14-year-old who was duped and then forced into blackmail; heartbreakingly, the young teen did not live long enough to know that the person he thought was a ‘girl’ engaging him in conversation, was in fact nothing more than a vile cybercrime syndicate based in the Ivory Coast, West Africa.
The chronology of events is hauntingly baffling – there was only a 12 minute interval between the teenager’s conclusive message to the produced persona ‘Emily Thompson’ and the ominous 911 call made from his residence, post his untimely death. The perpetrators do not back down regardless of how many times their accounts are blocked, each time they bounce back with a vengeance, plaguing the victims with more false personas. Daren Dhoray, a local IT specialist, reveals that a similar trajectory was followed in the case of a teenager from our own country, a teenager who ultimately took his life due to the overwhelming pressure of the ordeal.
This particular teenager was ensnared in what he believed to be a friendly online interaction, which soon turned sinister. The criminal exploited this trust, intimidating the youngster into sharing compromising data which then was used as blackmail, quickly escalating the situation out of hand. Regrettably, this led to immense pressure, embarrassment and ultimately to his untimely death, underlining the fatal outcome that such a terrible crime can have on young lives.
Paying his respects at the funeral of one such adolescent who fell victim to financial sextortion, leading to suicide, Bissessar recounted the immense stress the victim was under that would have made him feel coerced into reacting. The youngster was intimidated, shamed, and felt cornered to an extent where he perceived no other options left. He was a tragic victim of a meticulously orchestrated international cybercrime.
Their interaction with the scammers post the victim’s death underscored the terrible reality – this was indeed an instance of financial sextortion. Turning his gaze towards the United States, Bissessar pointed to the ongoing prosecutions against members of these cybercrime syndicates, responsible for financial sextortion activities driving multiple teenagers to suicide. These malevolent gangs specifically prey on vulnerable adolescents, forcing them into taking extreme steps they would not have considered under normal circumstances.
Recognizing the manipulative artistry these scammers possess should not be underestimated. The chain of events orchestrated by them is so overwhelming that the young victims are led to perceive that they are caught in an insurmountable problem they cannot cope with. Parents and adults must maturely acknowledge the dangers lurking online that might ensnare their children. It is incumbent on us to educate ourselves about these risks, inform our children accordingly, and initiate dialogue around the subject.
Even if parents feel their child is safe from such threats, knowledge about recognizing the signs can equip them to lend support and guidance to their friends who might find themselves embroiled in such situations. The principle of being ‘our brother’s keeper’ extends to children being equipped to help their peers who might encounter these difficulties.
According to Dhoray, a potential underreporting situation due to the stigma and embarrassment associated with these incidents might suggest that the actual number of financial sextortion victims locally could be higher. He informed that a sense of shame and uncertainty about whom to approach for help has led to several occurrences going unreported in Trinidad and Tobago.
Bissessar voiced concerns over the possibility that scammers might be exploiting the uptick in digital gift card transactions locally to further their criminal activities. Financial sextortion is a tangible and ongoing threat that can shake families globally and in our own country, Trinidad and Tobago. Having appropriate knowledge, ensuring open channels of communication and empowering our children with the right information can help safeguard them against the snares of these online predators.
Parents should be active in teaching their teenagers about the dark side hiding in the shadows of the digital world and equip them to make judicious decisions. Parents should ensure their children always feel comfortable approaching them for help, no level of discomfort, shame, or embarrassment is worth risking a child’s wellbeing.
Guiding young ones about online threats can be a daunting task for parents. However, nurturing an environment where teenagers feel safe opening up about their experiences is crucial. Parents can help ensure this by initiating the dialogue early, treating the subject as not being taboo, approaching the topic with empathy and openness, and emphatically highlighting that they can discuss anything without the fear of judgement or reprimand.
Parents should also start to be more vigilant for signs that their child might be a victim – unexpected secrecy when it comes to phone or computer use; unaccountable changes in mood or behavior; unordinary requests for money or withdrawals from their savings.
In the unfortunate event of discovering their teen is a victim, parents need to underscore that it is the predator who is at fault, not the child or themselves. It’s important they reassure their child that they are not alone and help is available, coupled with stressing that it’s alright to share their experiences of cyberbullying with an adult.