MASON CITY – Local teens are at risk from a nasty scammer, coercing children into transmitting nude photos over social media, then blackmailing them into sending gift cards so their secrets are kept.
The Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Office alerted that they have been receiving reports of on-line harassment involving teenagers in Cerro Gordo County. The details of the reports are similar: A teenage victim is coerced into sending nude photographs of themselves to a suspect after they have been communicating on-line via a social media app. After the victim has sent the photographs, the suspect then demands the victim provide gift card information or the suspect will post the pictures of the victim on social media. In fear of being humiliated, some victims have purchased the gift cards and provided the suspect with the card information. Once the suspect has the card information, the monetary amount that was placed on the card by the victim is immediately removed.
Parents are encouraged to be vigilant and monitor their children’s on-line activities. Parents should talk with their children about on-line scams and on-line predators. If your child would fall victim to this type of scam, report the information to your local law enforcement agency.