The FBI has issued a serious warning about the increasing misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) and deepfake technology in sextortion schemes targeting vulnerable individuals, particularly teenagers. Criminals are leveraging these advanced tools to manipulate photos and videos, creating explicit content without consent. This fabricated material is then used to harass victims and extort them for money, often with devastating consequences.

The FBI's public service announcement highlights the rising quality and accessibility of AI-powered content creation, making it easier for malicious actors to produce convincing deepfakes. These manipulated images and videos are then circulated on social media and pornographic websites, causing significant emotional distress and reputational damage to victims. The perpetrators often prey on young boys, posing as young girls online to coerce them into sharing explicit content.

Sextortion, as defined by the FBI, involves coercing victims into providing sexually explicit material under threat of public exposure. This crime is driven by various motives, including the desire for more illicit content, financial gain, and bullying. The FBI has reported a staggering 322% increase in sextortion cases between February 2022 and February 2023, with AI-doctored images playing a significant role in this surge. Tragically, at least a dozen sextortion-related suicides have been reported nationwide.

Often, perpetrators exploit images and videos readily available on victims' social media accounts or other online platforms. This content is then manipulated to create sexually explicit material featuring the victim's likeness. The fabricated content is then used as leverage for extortion or harassment. Once this material is online, it can be extremely difficult to control its spread and remove it completely.

To protect yourself and your children from sextortion, the FBI recommends exercising caution when sharing personal information online. Be mindful of the potential risks associated with posting photos and videos, even seemingly harmless ones. Malicious actors can easily exploit this content for criminal purposes. It is crucial to educate children about online safety and monitor their online activity. Implementing strong privacy settings on social media accounts, using complex passwords and multi-factor authentication, and understanding platform privacy policies are also essential preventative measures.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children offers a valuable resource called "Take It Down," which assists minors in removing or stopping the online spread of nude or sexually explicit content.