Sexting & Sextortion Scams

This is horrible. And I think it's not just teens that are victims.

I am pretty sure my father was into something like this before he died.

Long story short....he died in 2022 suddenly. Trying to notify all his friends and acquaintances I logged onto his computer/e-mail. Shocked is an understatement. It was so icky I looked through the first page for anything legitimately looking like a friend or contact then turned it off.

He had owned his home clean and clear. I found out that he had taken out a mortgage loan for the full value of the home just 2 years prior. Money is nowhere to be found. Still haven't found it. I am pretty sure he was scammed, blackmailed, or extorted for 100k or so probably to do with sex stuff. The bank repossessed the home. It was really a horrible few weeks dealing with all that crap.

I know a lot of these scammers are specifically targeting older (and ideally wealthier) lonely widows and pulling off elaborate romance scams

They'll play the long game, playing the part for months or longer before they ask for $50K