Manitowoc County Sheriff Dan Hartwig
No one is unfamiliar with the idea of scams spreading across the world at a rapid rate and the hold they can have over families.
Recently, the spread of a particular scam called “sextortion” has become more prevalent in Wisconsin.
Manitowoc County Sheriff Dan Hartwig told us more while on WOMT’s Be My Guest Program.
“Once that individual gets a photo sent from that child or that individual, what they then do is try to extort them or ‘sextortion’ to send them money, or do some type of things,” he explained. “Otherwise, they will reveal or post that sensitive photo out on social media platforms, messaging platforms, what have you.”
Hartwig explains that the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children works with social media platforms to protect against the spread of unwanted photos on the internet.
Law enforcement pleads for the community to come forward, with Sheriff Hartwig saying, “If you’re ever, ever, in that position, please get it reported.”
Reporting to local law enforcement can prevent further scamming and trauma done to both children and individuals across the country.
Help is only one call away.
