How to Protect Yourself from Sextortion in Michigan?

The state of Michigan has become a target for sextortion. A new and rising cybercrime that consists of blackmailers creating catfish profiles on social media to coerce teens into sending sexually explicit content and then blackmailing them for money. Reports have been rampant so much; the FBI has issued a warning to all Michiganders. If you want to learn how to protect yourself from sextortion in Michigan, read on.

What is Considered Sextortion in Michigan?

In the state of Michigan, sextortion is considered a person blackmailing another individual into sending thousands of dollars if they want to avoid their explicit images and or videos being published online. The state does not have a specific law regarding sextortion due to its recent discovery, however, there are multiple statutes sextortion fits under, such as:

• Bribery
• Extortion
• Child pornography (if involving a minor)
• Corruption
• Dissemination of another person’s sexually explicit material
• Use of electronic medium of communication

What’s the Penalty for sextortion in MI?

If convicted of sextortion in Michigan, criminals can face up to 20 years or longer if the crime involves a minor. On top of sentencing, criminals can also face hefty fines of up to $10,000 or higher depending on the severity of the case. Due to sextortion not having its statute, the sentencing and fines criminals receive depend on the various other statutes they have broken, which we have listed above.

Sextortion in Michigan – How to Protect Yourself from It?

The speed at which sextortion is rising is alarming. That is why social media users must be educated on this type of cybercrime and how they can protect themselves from its wrath. Here are three tips on how to do just that.

Know the Signs of Sextortion

The first step in protecting yourself from sextortion is understanding how it works and recognizing the signs. Sextortion often begins as an online relationship with someone who claims to be a minor. The perpetrator may ask for money or gifts, threaten to spread rumors about you, or demand that you send them explicit photos or videos. It’s important to be aware of the warning signs so that you can recognize when someone may be trying to use sextortion against you and take action immediately.

Take Action Immediately

If you think that someone may be trying to use sextortion against you, then it’s important to take action immediately by contacting law enforcement and reporting the incident. In addition, try not to panic as panicking can make you make rash decisions that can make things worse. Additionally, if possible, gather evidence such as screenshots of any emails or messages related to the incident so that it can help with the investigation.

Preventative Measures

Another way to protect yourself from internet sextortion is by taking preventative measures such as being careful about what images and videos you share online and keeping your personal information private. Additionally, always meet up with people in public places if possible, and never give out personal information like your address or phone number unless necessary. Finally, trust your gut; if something doesn’t feel right, don’t follow through with it no matter how much pressure someone puts on you.

Conclusions

Sextortion is a serious crime with potentially devastating effects on its victims; however, some steps can be taken to protect oneself from this type of extortion. By understanding how sextortion works and recognizing its warning signs, taking action immediately if needed, and following preventative measures, sextortion in Michigan will be on the decline.