A Boston 8th grader was extorted on Facebook after a fake profile named Sarah John tricked him into sharing personal information over months, then demanded money to keep it secret. The impostor appears to operate from abroad and has targeted other students. Security experts say this tactic is becoming common on social media.
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Up next, a BC high school student says someone tried to extort him on Facebook. Tonight, what his classmates are saying about online predators.
But first, an extortion plot involving a high school student. Tonight, the warning from the school and what your kids can do to protect themselves.
Lisa, a Boston College high school student says that somebody tried extorting him through Facebook. School officials say someone posing as a teenage girl named Sarah John She friended the 8th grade student and then convinced him to share personal information. He did. Sarah John then threatened to post that information publicly unless he gave her money. BC High says anyone who might have friended Sarah John should block her and report any further contact to police. WBZ's Karen Anderson spoke to students on campus today about this.
On this campus, the lesson today: extortion. Facebook extortion. And the victim: a student at BC High.
I feel bad for the person that happened to.
There's a lot of predators out there, so it doesn't really surprise me that much.
According to the school principal, a person who appears on Facebook as Sarah John friended this student. Sarah John has a photo that makes her appear to be a teenage girl. After a few months as a passive friend, this Sarah John initiated conversations that led to the student sharing personal information. Sarah John is now trying to extort money from the student.
I guess they talked over him with a lot— a long time, like 6 months or so. So you can get a lot of information, especially if you act like you're a true friend. High school boys, they see, uh, the pretty girls or something like that on the internet, they're gonna be prone to adding them.
The wild, wild web has no boundaries, and anybody that accesses your information could do anything with it.
Security expert Robert Siciliano says professional extortionists are now using social media for their personal gain. You shouldn't accept friend requests from anyone you don't know.
Unfortunately, sites like Facebook and other social media sites, uh, anyone can pose as anyone, grab a picture, use a name, set it up, and essentially, uh, use that for their own personal gain.
BC High says it appears the person posing as Sarah John lives outside the country and has friended other students at the school. Now experts say this is a good case for— as a reminder for all parents. Talk with your kids about online safety. Don't accept friend requests from people you don't know. And if something disturbing appears on your teen's account, call police and the school.
Lisa, you just can't be too careful. Karen, thanks.
