DALLAS, TX—
A young woman, we'll call "Mary" admits that she sent her share of sexy text messages to an ex-boyfriend, where she was almost nude. She knows those photos could come back to haunt her."There is always the possibility that those could get into the wrong hands."
It is happening. It is called, "sextortion". Prosecutors have coined a new name for the crime currently sweeping the country. Strangers get a hold of nude photos, "sexting" pictures, even steamy web cam video and then use the images to blackmail teens. In many cases, teens have been told the images will be spread around, unless they submit to more explicit photos.
"It is using the internet to extort sex in the way of sexual images," former federal prosecutor, Bill Mateja, said.
Mateja says he isn't surprised by the disturbing increase in "sextortion" or online sexual extortion. He says pornographers will find ways to use technology to exploit, children.
"It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out where the images came from. These unscrupulous people use those images to hold people hostage by demanding they perform sex acts over the internet."
According to reports, there have been some alarming cases across the country. In Alabama, a man used Facebook and MySpace to send threatening emails and to then extort nude images from 50 women. In California, a man hacked into 200 computers and threatened to expose naked pictures of teenagers, unless he received sexual videos.
Experts say teenagers are surrounded by the new threat on popular social-networking sites that can harbor sexual predators. Teen Counselor, Missy Wall with Contact Crisis Line in Dallas says teens are often too scared and embarrassed to get help.
"So instead of a teenager talking to parents or police, they will send more photos thinking that will solve the problem," Wall said.
The new threat is prompting counselors and prosecutors to urge parents to talk to teens about their activities and internet use. They advise that small indiscretions can last a lifetime.
