Americans Targeted by International ‘Sextortion’ Ring: FBI [Video]

Four men have been charged with crimes related to running an international “sextortion” scheme that targeted thousands of people across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

Sextortion occurs when an individual “threatens to distribute your private and sensitive material if you don’t provide them images of a sexual nature, sexual favors, or money,” according to the FBI.

A press release from the U.S. Department of Justice on September 9 reports that the men are accused of posing as young women online and offering to provide sexual photographs, video recordings, webcam, or live video chat sessions.

The indictment also alleges that the co-conspirators tricked the victims and during these “live sessions,” would record them, and later threaten to distribute the videos and images if the victims did not submit payment.

The statement says that authorities believe approximately $1.9 million was successfully extorted through the mobile payment services CashApp and ApplePay. The …