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VIDALIA, La. — The Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office issued an urgent warning on Monday about a disturbing trend targeting juvenile males online.

Reports have been received of adult individuals, often located overseas, creating fake online profiles and posing as young females. These individuals are engaging in conversations with juvenile males, building trust, and then coercing them into sending inappropriate pictures.

Once the images are obtained, money is demanded from the victims and their families with threats to distribute the explicit photos across the internet and social media if these demands are not met, the sheriff’s office warned in a social media post.

Detective Randall Gohn, Sr., senior detective of the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office Cyber Crimes unit, told reporters that the scam could happen to anyone and warned parents and guardians to be vigilant about their children’s activities online and to talk with them about internet safety.

“It’s very embarrassing, but it can happen to anybody. It could have happened to my children,” Gohn said. “These extortion subjects are absolutely some of the hardest to trace and some of the hardest to arrest because they are overseas. The more we get this knowledge out, the less problem we’re going to have, and the less victims we’re going to have.”

When talking to children about internet safety, CPSO said its important to emphasize the following:

• Never share personal information or photos with strangers online.
• Be cautious of friend requests from people you don’t know in real life.
• Understand that people online may not be who they say they are.
• If someone online asks for inappropriate pictures or makes them feel uncomfortable, they should immediately stop communication and tell a trusted adult.
• Never give in to demands for money or other favors from someone threatening to share private information.

Gohn also encourages parents and other guardians to communicate openly with their children.

“We’re trying to convey to them, ‘It’s okay. It’s going to be all right. We’ve all made mistakes in our lives, and this is just one of those little hurdles. Let’s get through it together,’” Gohn said.

If you or your child has been a victim of this type of online exploitation, do not hesitate to contact the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office immediately, the department said.

The CPSO number is 318-336-5231.

“We are here to help and take these matters very seriously,” CPSO states.

“Let’s work together to protect our children from these predatory online behaviors. Please share this post to help raise awareness within our community.”

For more online safety resources, visit the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s NetSmartz program.