FBI Warns of Online Account Theft for Sextortion

Summary

The FBI warns that criminals target adults’ and children’s online accounts to steal explicit content for sextortion or sale. The FBI and NCAA also warn of schemes targeting student-athletes and recommend strong passwords, caution with unsolicited messages, and MFA.

Key points

• The FBI says criminals target social media and other online accounts to steal explicit images and videos from adults and children.
• Stolen content may be used for blackmail or sold on criminal marketplaces; victims’ personal information may also be shared to intensify pressure.
• The FBI and NCAA warned that student-athletes are also targeted in sexual exploitation schemes.
• The FBI identified unsolicited messages asking for verification codes and emails with password-reset links as indicators of these schemes.
• The FBI advises against sharing verification codes or following unsolicited reset links, and recommends complex passwords and multi-factor authentication.

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