493 Cases of Sextortion Against Children Linked to Notorious Scam Compounds

“There are restrictions on what we can see with this data, but what we have so far is accurate,” says Heintz. “If there is anything I think it controls the size of the problem.”

The data obtained by the researchers is only a snapshot of some alleged SEXTORD activities associated with fraud centers. For example, mobile phone data is not complete in the advertising industry, NCME data does not contain all possible Sextrinet cases, and technology companies are probably removed from NCMC data to American companies.

In its report, IJM refers to multiple reports of fraud centers that are linked to a broader interdependence against adults. The report does not rule out that children are deliberately targeted with Cextein’s crimes, but it is noted that children may also be subject to the targeted plans for adults if they use parents or other care providers. Now that this research has shown a link, the researchers emphasize that more research is needed to enhance the authorities’ understanding of the relationship between children’s vehicles and fraud vehicles and determine whether children are being targeted specifically. NCMEC did not immediately respond to WIRED request for comment.

Deceptive vehicles often explode throughout Southeast Asia since almost 2019. If they refuse, it can be overcome and brutal. Initially, the Chinese speakers targeted the fraud centers called “pig slaughtering”, along with various other forms of romantic investment and fraud. With extensive flows of illegal money, criminals opened increasingly frauds in the Middle East, West Africa, Latin America and Eastern Europe; Targeted fraud against people all over the world; And changing the ways they are deceiving people.

“The fraud and fraud networks that support the Internet in Southeast Asia have rapidly varied its business lines and their range of targeting, and integrating them increasingly, as well as harmful programs, malignant programs, and pornographic materials in their operations,” says John Wajik, a senior researcher in the field of threats in Asia at Infoblox. In October 2024, a report of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, which was partially composed by Wojcik who later worked in the organization, has grown to an increase in cases of procedures against adults and the use of artificial intelligence.

Wojcik says IJM’s research is consistent with reports of law enforcement agencies within Southeast Asia that there is a “steady rise” in financial follow -up issues against children.

Hieu Minh Ngo, a reformist pirate and an investigator in Internet crime in the non-profit fighting organization in Vietnamese, says it has witnessed efforts of efforts targeting young people and adults in Vietnam in the past few years, and these “operations lead to cheek vehicles” located along the Vietnam-Pumbodia border. “The tactics are consistent: the bad actors as attractive individuals on social media, build confidence with the victims, then force them to share the photos or sensitive videos.” He adds that the use of Ai Deepfakes is also increasing. “This trend shows clear links between regional fraud vehicles and the regulation of measures targeting the weak children and population.”