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The parents of Murray Dowey, a British teenager who died by suicide after being blackmailed in a sextortion scam, have made a direct plea to Nigerian criminals to stop “terrorising” vulnerable children. It is believed that Murray was tricked by criminals in West Africa into sending them intimate pictures, which they then used to blackmail him. Mark and Ros Dowey also criticised social media companies for not doing enough to protect young people, arguing that tech companies had “blood on their hands”.
Sextortion typically involves a victim being sent a nude picture or video and then being asked to send one in return. The victim then receives threats that the material will be shared unless they meet the blackmailer’s demands. Sextortion has become a thriving business in Nigeria employing thousands of young men nicknamed “yahoo boys”. Police believe there may be significant underreporting of the crime, as victims may be too embarrassed or frightened to come forward.
The Dowey family has recorded a video message regarding the “cruel” crime of sextortion and the impact it has had on their lives. In the video, they appeal to criminals to stop abusing and terrorising vulnerable children for the sake of money. Following Murray’s death, the family is supporting a campaign warning young people in Scotland of the risks of sextortion and offering advice on what to do if they are targeted by criminals.
The UK’s National Crime Agency has found that sextortion affects people of all ages and genders, but a significant number of victims are young men aged between 14 and 18. Murray’s parents have called on tech companies to do more to prevent these crimes, arguing that the technologies to stop them are already available. The couple has urged anyone who falls victim to sextortion to put down their phone and seek help from someone they trust
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