The grieving parents of a 16-year-old British teenager, Murray Dowey, who took his own life after falling victim to sextortion, have made an emotional plea to Nigerian fraudsters to stop exploiting the vulnerable.
Murray, from Dunblane, Scotland, was blackmailed by criminals in West Africa after being tricked into sharing intimate images of himself. The relentless threats he received reportedly drove him to despair, leading to his suicide last year.
In a heartfelt video message, his parents, Mark and Ros Dowey, condemned the perpetrators and urged them to reflect on their actions.
While speaking with BBC recently, Ros said, “You’re abusing children. You’ve ended Murray’s life. You’re terrorising people, children, for some money, and I don’t think in any society that is in any way acceptable”.
The couple also called attention to the role of social media platforms, accusing tech companies of negligence.
“I think they’ve got blood on their hands. The technologies are there for them to stop so many of these crimes, “Ross opined.
Mark added that corporate greed hinders effective action. He said, “It will stop them making more billions than they’re making”.
Sextortion involves tricking victims into sharing nude images or videos before threatening to release the material unless demands are met. Victims are often pressured into compliance, a tactic believed to have led to Murray’s tragic death.
According to BBC, the development is rampant in Nigeria, where thousands of young men, often referred to as “yahoo boys,” are reportedly engaged in sextortion schemes.
A Nigerian fraudster, who spoke anonymously to BBC, described the illegal activity as a “game” and an “industry,” claiming it is a means of survival. “It depends on the fish you catch,” he said, likening the process to fishing.
Although the Doweys’ message may have resonated with some, tackling sextortion remains a significant challenge. Experts emphasise that stronger regulations and decisive action from social media companies are essential to address this growing crisis.
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