Catfishing: Sextortion, Blackmail & Suicide

Imagine this: You're scrolling through Instagram, TikTok or even Facebook, and suddenly you get a message from someone who seems genuinely interested in you. 

The conversation quickly turns flirtatious, and before you know it, you've shared personal photos and information. And then, the unthinkable happens. The person on the other end reveals their true intentions, and threaten to send it on to your friends and family unless you pay up, or do something equally distressing.

This isn't an urban myth or something that only happens thousands of miles away, this is the reality for many people who fall victim to ‘sextortion’ and blackmail by catfish accounts, and it’s happening where you live.

These twisted predators use fake identities to build trust and manipulate their victims, leading to devastating consequences, both emotionally and financially.

In this episode I’m joined by Debbie MacPhee whose teenage son was targeted, even without engaging with anyone, and we’re shining a light on the tactics and methods used by these criminals. You’ll hear a number of stories about people who were targeted, with some horrifying outcomes, and steps you can take to ensure that you and your loved ones can stay safe in an online setting that’s becoming increasingly dangerous.

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