Palos Park police investigators are following up on a reported case of sextortion involving an 18-year-old man from Palos Park.
The victim engaged with a purported female on the “Yubo” app and was asked to send intimate photos, which he did.
The victim was contacted within 48 hours to pay a ransom or his intimate photos would be released on his social media platforms.
Sextortion is a form of online exploitation where victims are pressured or manipulated into sending sensitive images to someone.
That person, oftentimes, is utilizing a fake social media account and uses the photos to threaten the victim.
These schemes often move quickly and are designed to overwhelm and panic young victims, said Police Chief Joe Miller.
Teens are sexting. Locally. Nationally. It’s more common than you think, he said.
Predators use common apps—especially gaming apps and social media platforms with hidden or embedded messaging functions—to gain access to kids.
Talk to your kids about the dangers of sharing images, even with someone they think they know, he said.
Check their phones. Not just messages and photos, but apps that allow chatting or live streaming.
Look at gaming apps. Many include private messaging features that predators exploit.
This is not about invading your child’s privacy—it’s about protecting their safety.
If your child becomes a victim of sextortion, remind them: They are not alone. They can come to you. There is help, and there is hope,” he said.