The family of Ryan Last, a California teenager who committed suicide hours after an Internet victim.
“We wanted to hear Ryan’s story so no family would pass on what we had,” said Lastin’s mother Pauline Stewart. The video was released earlier this month with the San Jose Police Department in California. We want to educate both parents and children about the risks involved and especially about sending compromising information to people on the Internet.
Stewart said Last, 17, is a high school, student, and scout planning to attend Washington State University. In February she was contacted online by someone who said she was a woman.
The man sent him a nude photo and asked Last to send him in return. He eventually did and was then told that if he didn’t pay $ 5,000, the photo would be posted and sent to his family and friends.
He later said he didn’t have much money to give, so the cybercriminal reduced it to $ 150, the amount he eventually paid from college savings, to his mother. He told CNN. But the man was not satisfied.
“They demanded more and more pressure from him,” he said.
Last night, Last said goodnight to his parents. Within hours he had committed suicide. In a note to his family, he expressed his embarrassment at the situation he was in, his mother said.
“He chose to end his life rather than post pictures of himself on social media,” Stewart said in the video. “He believes his reputation will be ruined and he is afraid of what his friends and family will think.”
Stewart encouraged parents to talk to their children “so kids know they can go to their parents if they make a mistake.”
The FBI said it has received a growing report that children online are being targeted by blackmail schemes. In a Public Notice The San Francisco Bureau, released earlier this month, described how extortion could have progressed:
Sexting begins when an adult communicates with a minor on any online platform used for meetings and communication, such as a game, app, or social media account. In a pattern that has recently become more prevalent, a predator (in the form of a girl) uses deception and manipulation to encourage a young man, usually between the ages of 14 and 17, to engage in an open activity. for a video that was then secretly recorded. predator.
The victim then revealed that he made recordings and tried to extort money from the victim in exchange for money so that it would not be posted on the Internet. Many entities are overseas and usually require an increase in the amount of money if it is sent at the time of initial application.
“We want to take Ryan’s story so no other family can face what we have.”
– Polina Stewart, mother of Ryan Last
“To prevent continued victimization, children need to go to someone – a parent, teacher, guardian, or law enforcement,” the FBI said in a statement. “Children may be uncomfortable because of such a traumatic experience. However, perpetrators of sexual exploitation can have hundreds of victims around the world, thus helping law enforcement identify and eventually arrest suspects. can prevent further incidents of sexual exploitation ”.
“Our agents see many of these cases and have helped thousands of young people. “Our goal is to stop harassment, prevent crime and help you get the support you need.” Tell the agency. “If you’re not ready to talk to the FBI yet, go with another trusted adult. You said you were an online victim and needed help. It may be impossible to talk about it, but there are people who can help. You do not need”.
Source: Huffpost
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.