Financial Sextortion Surge: 'Yahoo Boys' Target English-Speaking Teens
Financial sextortion, a crime targeting children, is surging in the US, Canada, and Australia. The FBI reports a staggering 1,000% increase in incidents over the past 18 months. Nigerian cybercriminals, known as 'Yahoo Boys', are behind this alarming trend, using social media platforms to exploit and extort victims.
Instagram, Snapchat, and Wizz are the top platforms for these attacks. Instagram is the most common vector, while Wizz, a Tinder-like dating app, is rising fast. Once trust is gained, Snapchat is frequently used to coerce victims into sending compromising photos. The 'Yahoo Boys' share scripts and instructional videos on platforms like TikTok and YouTube, encouraging others to join their criminal activities. The majority of these attacks happen on social media, with teenagers from Western English-speaking countries being increasingly targeted.
Financial sextortion is a growing threat to children in the US, Canada, and Australia. Nigerian cybercriminals, facilitated by social media platforms, are driving this surge. Authorities must act swiftly to combat this issue and protect vulnerable teenagers.
