Teen Targeted In 'Sextortion' Scheme, Blackmailer Threatens To Publish Explicit Photos

PALOS PARK, IL — A Palos Park teen was targeted in a sextortion scheme after he sent explicit photos of himself to a person he thought was a girl his age, police said.

The 18-year-old engaged with the purported girl on the “Yubo” app. After receiving texted photos of a girl in her bra and panties, he was asked to send intimate photos of himself as well.

Within 48 hours, the teen was contacted late Saturday to pay a ransom or his intimate photos would be posted on social media. The young man came to the Palos Park police station on Monday to file a report.

Luckily, he told his parents,” said Chief Joe Miller, of the Palos Park Police Department. “Not only is ‘sextortion’ an epidemic, it’s devastating for these kids. There have been a number of suicides.”

Miller said the teen and his parents were given a packet of resources for victims, including not paying the blackmailers.

“He’s not the first victim, and he won’t be the last,” the chief said.

“Sextortion” is a form of online exploitation where victims are pressured or manipulated into sending sensitive images to someone. Victims are blackmailed into sending ransom money to stop the images from being made public on social media or other the internet. These schemes often move quickly and are designed to overwhelm and panic young victims.

Here’s what every parent needs to know:

• Teens are sexting. Locally. Nationally. It’s more common than you think.
• Predators use common apps—especially gaming apps and social media platforms with hidden or embedded messaging functions—to gain access to kids.
• These conversations are hard, but absolutely critical. Talk to your kids about the dangers of sharing images, even with someone they think they know.
• 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.