The Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Department has been receiving reports of on-line harassment involving teenagers in the county. The details of the reports have been similar in nature.
A teenage victim is coerced into sending nude photographs of themselves to a suspect after they have been communicating on-line via a social media app. After the victim has sent the photographs, the suspect then demands the victim provide gift card information or the suspect will post the pictures of the victim on social media. In fear of being humiliated, some victims have purchased the gift cards and provided the suspect with card information.
Once the suspect has the card information, the monetary amount that was placed on the card by the victim is immediately removed.
If your child falls victim to this type of scam, please report the information to your local law enforcement agency.
