'They killed our son': Online scammers tearing families apart as sextortion cases soar | ITV News

[@eddiebyword3363]

To anyone with a scammer on their back - remember, you haven't got anything your mum hasn't already seen and........guess what...........she also knows all about sex too. Try and relax and call their bluff. Even they do their worst, it won't last long before "the world" moves on to other stuff. (I would bet, your mum and family would much rather help you through your mistake than go to your funeral.

[@fotouniver]

Yes ! Totally agree 🙏🏻

[@peterbalac1915]

Great advice brilliant comment, respect ❤

[@Tenn80]

Great comment.

[@shirl974]

💯

[@smallfeet4581]

A guy in USA laughed at the scammers and told them he'd be happy to have the pics on show , and he wasn't bluffing , remember the football player who took pics of himself and sent them to someone , who remembers that today , if only the lad had spoken to his da who could have helped him deal with it ,

[@Bebedollie]

Stop sending pics to anyone. No matter even if you know them. Just don't do it

[@Monicablackbelt24]

Exactly.. if you don’t take them no one can blackmail you.. be smart!

[@J2015-f7k]

Exactly these generation of teenagers need to be educated more on these things. Don't send

[@susanplatt5331]

​@user-ku7tq3ck8o not all teenagers are taking pictures. The point is that children are being targeted. They're vulnerable, easily manipulated by professional scammers.

[@Persiphon]

Many have been targeted randomly, due to data breaches and hacking. Once they get hold of your details the script goes out and they hold onto hope that someone will fall for the lie hook, line and sinker. They don't care about hurting ones feelings, about loss of life after been extorted all they care about is taking your money. We all need to be aware of what we share online cyber crime is at an all time high.

[@braniefanie4938]

@@Monicablackbelt24a lot of them are coerced and supplied with cocaine so they lose their inhibitions and forced to watch porn and abuse vids to desentise them

[@Louisejames23]

Life was so much easier before scammers were given free access to our personal information.

[@ImUrZaddy]

I’d be even easier easier if you don’t send your 🍆 pics to random “girls” online

[@ssectorlap]

I agree 🙁 and especially of manipulators of using sextortion and blackmailing 😔😔

[@ogarrt]

Lack of education is the problem. My children would never experience something like this

[@ssectorlap]

@@ogarrt agree I wished the education of social media and life be better cuz it’s still lacking 🙁

[@movetronics]

@@ogarrtyou’re wrong, anyone can get scammed. It doesn’t matter how much you’re educated. Saying it will never happen to your family is the first step of being naive. The isp need to block the countries doing theses things so it’s harder

[@alicec.6195]

Shame hits differently when you are a teenager, it feels like the end of the world and these scammers know it.

[@stoneneils]

Not for everyone, shame really is a harbinger of childhood experience. Its VERY strong in today's world however I agree because all kids do is shame each other online. They even try to shame me lol..which i love, its so cute. But i guess it hurts their more sensitive peers.

[@RobenArjen]

It’s for many

[@loveanimals969]

These poor children don't realise that there is much worse can happen in this life. They are too young. Heartbreaking for his parents. It is so, so sad. The scammers should be found and charged with murder. They are evil. Social media is responsible for so much harm.

[@H-youtube7]

Can you imagine how devastating it would be as an adult for that to be shared with say all your work colleagues and then be expected to go into work? Magnify that feeling for a child who has more fear and less control.

[@Darlene-tk6qb]

@@H-youtube7You would hope that adults would have enough sense not to ever send pictures to anyone. Kids are vulnerable.

[@natalieoliver3215]

This is why kids shouldn't have social media, its the devil in disguise. Rest in peace young man ❤

[@RM-nu6cm]

I agree but if you deny your child they are seen as different which can result in bullying. I’m a parent and it’s so hard these days, you can’t even protect them in your own home 😢

[@KiwiGraggle]

No one should have it, it is a massive cause of pain in our communities and World.

[@TrinhNguyen-sh4fj]

@@KiwiGraggleI was going to say that and totally agree. Social media is deadly poison.

[@SC.......]

This happened to my son. He came to me crying and shaking saying his life is over. Thankfully we got through it but he was thinking of harming himself 😢. My God i was so mad.

[@azpersonal]

Omg 😢

[@AlpineGABE]

Well done to him speaking up and to you for listening so well.

[@SC.......]

@@AlpineGABE yes.!! We reported it to the FBI and I just thanked him so much for coming to me. I couldn't imagine losing my son.

[@TapesProductions]

Hope he’s okay now I’ve been through the same thing and I was 26 at the time.

[@maciejguzek3442]

​@@TapesProductionsno, it's not the same thing if he was 16 and you were 26.

[@lw3646]

Don't ever send pictures to someone you don't know/have never met.

[@netfalsifikaciiistorii]

Don't ever make this pictures.

[@mackabeats]

Or even then, don't send sexual pictures or videos online.

[@netfalsifikaciiistorii]

@@mackabeats Let only a shoemaker make shoes, and only a radiologist make such pictures.

[@spartan187]

Keeping that pictures in ur mobile or email, can also have chance of hacking and scam, there is no reason to take that picture this where education knowledge can help but our government is focusing on teaching on other genders

[@katarinabaird4789]

​@@netfalsifikaciiistoriiand the comment of the year goes to 🎉

[@judebutler535]

It’s going to be an awkward conversation, but parents, talk to children about this, warn your children of the dangers. You may think your child is tech savvy and aware, but they are just kids…..take ownership - talk to your children.

[@jacquelineithell307]

SPOT. ON

[@scarlettvschultz]

Totally agree and or talked about by teachers in schools

[@mackabeats]

That's insane. Parents need to be made aware of the dangers and the government and schools need to make the kids aware of the dangers of online scammers and sexual predators.

[@nbbim2012]

Children think because they're usually- not always- more proficient with technology than their parents so they think they know the Internet & perils better when in fact , they're incredibly naive & don't truly know the evils that exist in this world

[@jenniferindigochameleon6680]

It’s 2024, parents know. They’re not bothered to have mature and direct conversations with their kids.

[@MsKenzo7]

Schools are constantly on the case about online safety, telling parents how to look for signs and check their kids devices. As well as making sure the children with phones don’t have apps that are not suitable for their ages AKA social media apps. I have two kids and I am on the case with them. But yes we need to be more strict with our kids and educated about technology along them.

[@smallfeet4581]

​@@MsKenzo7 if only the kids were more like Tommy lee , but yes I'd tell parents to talk to kids , get them more internet savvy , this isn't a new thing , been going on for years sadly

[@85catnip]

@@jenniferindigochameleon6680 don't speak for all parents who you think arn't bothered.

[@elainecampbell9930]

So so sad 😢. These scammers just don’t care about the heartbreak their actions cause. Absolutely heartbreaking 😢

[@snehalkrishnan618]

They will care, that blood is on their hands.

[@Tenn80]

I feel bad for every parent that has lost a child to these incidents but we have to be smarter. Quit sending pictures to people you don’t know, quit going to people houses that you just met, make better decisions. Ultimately we really need to quit being ashamed of the things we do. This kid was more scared of what people would think of the pictures than death. That’s the sad part. RIP.

[@josephinenilsson1541]

Think about what you are saying. A world were people don’t feel shame would be hell. There’s a word for people who feel no shame: psychopaths.

[@SC.......]

Shameless society? That's what we live in now lol what a dumb thing to wish for.

[@ATLASFOX769]

Rest in peace 🕊️ horrible that people do this to other people

[@SamKent195]

What a waste of a lovely young life. Poor Murray, and his mum and dad. As a parent there are so many things to worry about because there are so many ways for these evil people to access children. Please, if this happens to you, tell your parents or an adult you trust. Don't feel ashamed, IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT. Don't communicate with the scammer and don't send them any money. Please know that it will all be OK.

[@UserAK89]

Its so sad that the parents having to go through this no parent should go through this heart break. These scammers are there to make money in such nasty way of ruining young childs life!!

[@keith8609]

Moral of the story is do not send explicit pictures of yourself to anyone

[@chillout1109]

Moral of the story : Don't photograph or record yourself in the first place 🤷

[@deadeyes4626]

Is that your ‘moral’ *victim blaming* real classy lad

[@azpersonal]

And if they make that mistake, they shouldn't be pushed to suicide

[@keith8609]

@@azpersonal those responsible should be put in prison

[@custardgannet4836]

Find me a lass who hasn't been sent an unsolicited dic pic tbh. Guys will send them out constantly so maybe they should have some more self respect on social media.

[@pourquoipas971]

Too sad he was not confident enough to share his concern with someone.. i feel for this grieving family

[@trevor45689]

I was a victim of this. It was a horrible experience that traumatised me. The police didn't care

[@LiberatedNotes]

That’s sad. I hope things are fine now

[@penumbra-ic2gm]

Im sure it was awful. the police do care but the problem is that its happening all the time partly because children and young people are sharing images of themselves all the time - sexting has become almost normal. many kids are sending images to anyone who asks for them. The police cant keep up with it and its almost impossible to identify the online offenders.

[@SuperWhatapain]

Sad what's happening to our young people. They're getting trapped in this evil. 😥 Keep praying people 🙏🙏🙏

[@WearertheRESISTENCE]

"our"!?. No

[@Pyrrhic537]

These people have no feelings or compassion.

[@korrin897]

Really really sad. Sorry for these parents

[@henaimtiyaz4189]

Scammers are everywhere waiting for a wrong move to screw you. Kids should be kids and not indulge in these things. Parents and the surroundings have a role to play.

[@sunnydelight5255]

Young men need to stop thinking with down there. This is how things are now. The hot girl asking for your photo isn’t a hot girl or interested in dating you. If there’s no photo no one is able to do this.

[@stoneneils]

They just need to rediscover life offline again...gen-z is just so much more dependent and addicted then millenials were its unreal.

[@mechasentai]

Plus no offense given what happened to the boy in the article but really they shouldn't care that much who sees their pics. I mean so what? Sorry if that sounds cold but it wouldn't be such a problem if we didn't have a cancel culture. This is why these boys are so afraid. They feel their lives will be ruined.

[@SDBOGLE]

They could have sent pictures of animals

[@noticing33]

No no don't teach self control and decency, how dare you victim blame!!!!!!😂

[@penumbra-ic2gm]

You know nothing about it. These are young boys who are being groomed and targetted by adult male offenders.

[@alisonmary1443]

THERE IS NO SHAME, but shame on the evil scammers, let's get the facts out there and tell it how it is.

[@noticing33]

No. It is shameful to be sending your pics to people, especially randos.

[@outoforbit00]

This is what schools should be warning children about. But sadly the schools are encouraging it by teaching children about s practices that are way beyond their years. My heart goes out to the family featured here and may Murray rest in peace. This truly is a very sad story, he was just a child.

[@LiberatedNotes]

Teaching them practices? School doesnt teach them things they teach about protection.

[@stoneneils]

what woulld you know about what schools teach their kids, you get all your information from youtube.

[@MetalRocksMe.]

Monitor kid internet usage and DON’T let your kids go on social media.

[@lornaginetteharrison7168]

I wonder how many people "Chris" killed? Even if he’s supposedly helping work against his fellow scammers now, he admits that he didn’t care about killing people, as long as he was making money. Disgusting and evil.

[@DanielTheDuncan]

He could be still doing it tbf, but he isnt

[@laurielshelley]

Dear Rose & Mark, My heartfelt condolences to the loss of Murray to a horrendous crime. I’m so sorry and feel broken hearted for you. These perpetrators need to be arrested. God Bless Lauriel South Africa

[@juliemitchell3013]

The internet needs scrapping for kids. It’s just disgusting what happens. Kick it off. Yes I’d miss it at first. But this cannot go on.

[@williemcclure8112]

I'm really sorry for your loss, Ros.

[@LordWalsallian]

Why do kids under 18 need smart phones??! Or social media? If they deleted all Social Media tomorrow it would be no loss!

[@TapesProductions]

I’m not embarrassed to say this I was a victim of this. Honestly was terrifying. Luckily only one of my friends saw the content and I’m mature enough to have a laugh about it now. Here’s what I did to deal with it: I put all my social media accounts to private changed the names and blocked all the accounts. They want power if you just tell them you aren’t scared they will leave you alone. Also the obvious answer don’t send explicit content online to anyone.

[@visanion1361]

How can someone do that with child photos????isnt detaining images like that illegal anyway????i understand for adults it can be a thing but when its kids.....just having the image or talking sexually to underage kids is illegal no????how can they not convict them???as an adult anyway you deserve it if you send someone naked pics:))) jow dumb can you be????honestly i never asked or sent stuff like that in my life......

[@LuciThomasHardylover-qx6ts]

That's what I didn't understand. They kept referring to 'a scammer' so no-one was prosecuted? Seems like the emphasis is all on prevention rather than having the resources to track down the offenders.

[@visanion1361]

@@LuciThomasHardylover-qx6ts if you send them money it's easy to track.....cash is the easiest yo track even crypto can be tracked:))) i don't know whats the deal......its political because i have no other explanation

[@visanion1361]

@@dainagrn7030 absolutely.....thats psychological problems they have.....when youre a teen maybe it affects what people think but after 20.....youve got problems.....

[@LuciThomasHardylover-qx6ts]

@@visanion1361 there are still many adults who don't want to see naked people on their screens! And there is of course a lot of difference between naked images and how one might react. I found that to show my teenage daughter a water birth,a totally natural process,was age restricted. Yet semi pornographic images are everywhere and easy to access and hard to avoid. Not wanting to see that isn't odd!

[@Genesisorgin]

No one deserves this that's such an disgusting thing to say and only helps protect these freaks who enjoy bullying and harassing people

[@eniam2675]

Why are people sending photos of themselves naked to anyone EVER?

[@ValiantPixel]

Exhibitionism is a common sexual fetish.

[@isabella6075]

@@ImUpYourArselet see 👀

[@isabella6075]

@@ImUpYourArselet’s see. 👀

[@nubianqueen4375]

Because they know everything and better.

[@Kaya.184]

He was a kid and he did not know about the danger of it, he did not know any better 😢

[@yaseminboran362]

I’m so sorry 😢 how do these people not have a conscience..

[@ayseguldemirkan9083]

For real such devils :(

[@books4739]

hamas supporters?

[@yaseminboran362]

@@books4739 Hamas supporters, is that all you can say after over 30,000 people are murdered.. children, women and men traumatised to the extent that you or I will never ever understand. Where is your humanity

[@yaseminboran362]

@@books4739 over 30,000 people murdered. Children, women and men traumatised to the extent that you and I will never ever understand, and that’s all you can say, where is your humanity

[@yaseminboran362]

@@books4739 over 30,000 people murdered. Children, women and men traumatised to the extent that you and I will never ever understand, and that’s all you can say, where is your humanity

[@Marsase]

That's that moment you say "sorry, for my own naked pictures I'm not paying+ all the town knows what my ass looks like." You might suggest to the criminal to move out of his parents house that always gets them pissed off (I wonder why...). Or suggest they start socializing more and get a hobby or two! That words also repel them! But at the end of the day nothing hurts a wrongdoer more than "I have more important things to do!". That's the way it goes, you are above this!!! Keep that energy 💪

[@redleeks6253]

This is in Ireland a country with strong Catholic and shame culture

[@deedee3614]

Social media is a dangerous place..I hope the parents heal in some way 🙏🏽

[@s8567.]

I’ve had similar scam threats by texts, messages, emails etc but I’m in my 30s now so I’m aware of their scams. Teen years (or even earlier) are when victims at the their most vulnerable times in life since they can be so gullible. People will do anything to make money in life without caring a bit how you feel

[@i_kissed_a_pixie1537]

Horrific! People need a space to come forward. No young person should feel so ashamed they end their life. Its so sad

[@snehalkrishnan618]

Scammers like this need to be found, extradited and charged to the full extent of the law.

[@lolalouise9503]

I don’t have kids, but if I did, I’d be petrified of buying them a phone, in fact I don’t think I would, Too many dangerous people out there. 😢

[@stoneneils]

Buy them one of those kids phones they sell made of plastic in the dollar store and yell "PRETEND!!" :P

[@juniorlsdmusic]

Stop giving smartphones to minors with unsupervised acces to social media

[@IamKarryanne]

Let your kids know they can talk to you about anything!!

[@DannyBoy89]

The absolute fear that boy must have been in to do such a thing is so chilling!

[@KallusGarnet]

If you can't share it with your mum don't share it with a stranger. RIP my heart goes out to the friends and family.

[@mrannonymous4822]

Never ever send pics, the thrill is not worth the consequence

[@Iceageonmars]

Terrible - very sad. The internet is very sinister.

[@gillianm9367]

❤feel devastated for this family❤ Parents, caregivers and teachers - please make your children aware and also reassure them that you are there if they ever need help. Murray had nothing to be ashamed of- hormones can get out of control especially in teenage boys- scammers are only too aware of this which is why they target them in the first place. RIP Murray and love & prayers to your lovely family ❤

[@jordinometry1589]

To anyone thats reading this. Try not to send anything but if you do. As a mother myself. We don't care about that stuff, we care about your safety. Most of us won't be angry, some might but it's only because our children will always be our babies. Please don't let these evil people get the best of you. It will not ruin your life, you have to be strong and keep looking to the future. Because it's not forever but taking yourself away from the people that love you. That's pain that will stay with them forever because they love you

[@ConnorLipke]

Never send pictures with your face in them, reverse look up numbers when communicating with someone new, reverse image search their pictures, and use a burner # app or sim card if this is something you encounter frequently. Keep your socials on private.

[@Harvey.S-x9r]

Imagine just having some values and accountability instead of playing victim

[@SpiritDestiny]

My heart goes out to this beautiful family❤

[@skyblaze6705]

Don't send pictures or texts which you can't stand for any day to anyone whether it is friends or unknowns.

[@WarV9]

I hope the scammer never sleeps again after hearing about this

[@V530-15ICR]

This is why I never send anything private. I would never send my face to anyone I haven't met in real life. And I wouldn't send it to someone I have met in real life unless I can trust that person.

[@LiberatedNotes]

Tbh you cant trust the digital devices and definitely not internet. Better never take them

[@pagliacci2942]

This is unbelievably tragic. I can't imagine how these parents feel and I can only wish them peace.

[@haggisman0812]

These people are doing this professionally on an industrial scale, if you get got by them, block and report them, if they have no means of contacting you and therefore no means of getting money out of you they will just move on, as frightening as it is when it happens.

[@robertservini4976]

These social media site need to work with the police and criminals prosecuted

[@Persiphon]

This is heartbreaking.😢💔 Talk to children about these things , share this story with them if you have to. Don't let these monsters take another life.

[@_anon464]

A huge part of the reason this happens is, under the guise of protecting them, the reluctance to educate children (with facts, not your culturally-induced opinions) about puberty, sx and relationships in general. Where do you think the shame comes from? Enforced silence/censorship is essentially the definition of a taboo and that's what children grow up with, often until at least the age of 16, funnily enough.

[@reardelt]

It's the parents and the school's fault who didn't educate their kids regarding not giving nude pics

[@noneya11]

So heartbreaking 💔

[@pennylynch913]

Heartbreaking! Please comfort these poor parents Lord. 😢😢😢❤

[@genalee5211]

This is absolute atrocity this is happening. I can’t believe people are so evil destroying lives like this.😭😭😭😭

[@aaronjohnson2215]

Ppl think they have a normal fanily, and then kid takes his life because he can't talk to his parents. Dad probs fixated on football and mum equally blind. Another question is why a teenager takes his own life so easily over something so trivial. Ppl also need to be educated as parents didn't have phones and such experience so they have no clue.

[@nickcook7408]

The easiest answer to this problem is to not have children. You can only be affected by things that happen to your kids if you actuallly have kids. Don’t have kids, don’t have the problem. Parents brought it on themselves.

[@Dienekes678]

Gobshite.

[@Myview246]

Poor parents 😥😥

[@telstar32]

Why would you send sexual pics to anyone anyway? I don’t get it I’m afraid.

[@comealongcomealong4480]

@telstar32 Can you remember that hot crush you had for a neighbour, schoolmate, teacher or parent's friend when you were 13-14 years old? It's that confusing time of intense attraction and emotion that makes a young person vulnerable. I wonder what WE would have done back in the day if our crush had asked?

[@evalangley3985]

A SCAM, "is a crime without victims", they say...

[@Lovethyself4eva]

My condolences to the family shown to us in this video and to the families not mentioned🙏🏾

[@violet9486]

My deepest condolences to Murray's family. I'm so heartbroken for you.

[@vaderthekittenchannel1979]

What an awful tragedy! I pray for this family. 🙏

[@avrilcrisp5725]

Most parents would not be surprised at teens taking pics of themselves. Try to be honest with your parents, relative or an adult you feel safe with about what is happening. Ring First Response for who to contact confidentially or go to the Police. Don't send the creeps any money or they wont stop. Ignore them.

[@katarina5233]

May the boy rest in peace.

[@Soprano1638]

I wish the deepest pit of hell for these scammers, especially the ones who put the person's photos in a family group chat

[@Humvee369]

Hundreds of thousands of views of social media videos on how to extort someone. And the platforms making money by association. How utterly charming.

[@jasmingrace828]

It's all the social media platforms fault they need to safeguard a d monitor their platforms for this crime

[@marigoldbeam5475]

May his soul rest in peace. Sorry mum and dad. I pray the scammers are caught and brought to justice soon. Children and young adults do as they advise. Turn off your phone and go to your parents and the police directly. And remember, even if it is posted, it is not the end of the world. The whole world loathes scammers. We will not judge you. We will judge the scammers.

[@blue_jay31]

Talk to your children make sure this doesn’t happen !

[@susangrant6154]

Heartbreaking 😢

[@liveitlarge68]

This is just so tragic and heartbreaking. Hard to watch.

[@jawsbond69]

WOW.....never heard this sextortion .......

[@isabella6075]

Really?

[@valentina47734]

No? Jeffrey Epstein rings a bell? Centuries of powerful people making weird decisions?

[@kornNpunk]

I got my first phone when i was 20 and it was a siemens. If any teen is a victim of these kind of scams, parents are meant to be blamed for as anyone below 20 yr old doesnt require a phone..

[@langevinsarah2467]

That’s sad! And what they do to young people is sickening, honestly I have no words 💔 I wish they will find those scammers and charge them for murder . I can’t believe now we even have to deal with those kind of people with that way of thinking

[@drifter8800]

Bruh where did they find this newscaster lol what a sight

[@jaida9254]

Sending so much love and condolences to this family

[@sassijay]

Just dreadful. Poor boy and his parents. Sending much love ❤

[@SHAHNAWAZ32]

Sextortion cases have increased so much that I think students should be educated about it at schools. It will give them the idea and help them.

[@abbieroseholden4174]

Absolutely devastating poor lad 😢😢 so wish he told someone what happened. Teenagers are exposed to so much these days thanks to people scamming

[@pheeqzie]

All you have to do is see the amount of young children with heads buried in their phones to and from school, not to mention how irresponsible some parents are with disciplining children as to do with screentime🤯🤯🤯 As sad as it is, the parents of today are part of the problem 🤯🤯🤯

[@shivadizayin]

And what’s the government gonna do to catch these evil monsters?

[@hollygardner5076]

This is not suicide this is homicide!!! My praying for the Family.

[@MaxwellAaron]

Handling the entire situation was a hell for me not until Focusutensil came to the picture. I’m so overwhelmed by your persistence and effort which saved my life and marriage, I’m forever indebted to you.

[@abacus749]

Anthony Weiner an American Politician also suffered the same fate of using 'shame' to blackmail. Is the problem is a societal problem of taboos that give such blackmailing creeps power?

[@Waldemarvonanhalt]

By your reckoning the casual acceptance of sharing CP between teenagers would help to make this sort of crime go away?

[@wildflowerspoetry]

The sad thing is teenager brain development doesn't support making rational decision making. Sending pictures most won't see the consequences due to the prefrontal cortex not being fully developed so brain runs from the limbic system more

[@DanBaker108]

When I got out of prison I was extorted to drop my appeals.

[@TheStickman17]

This is why you need to have a chat with your children because I would make a sextape and post it online before being blackmailed. It's a crime. Victims should never be ashamed.

[@personalcheeses8073]

🤔

[@EthanLomas]

Patents MUST accept their children’s sexual fetishes. Whether they like males or females, parents must let their children know that they accept them, whatever their proclivities 🥰

[@Bebedollie]

No

[@faatimahbintmuhammad6351]

I don’t think it was his parents perception he cared about but the fact all his contacts were gna see private images of him… Parents must really monitor their childrens’ smart phone usage and how much idle time they have.

[@086guti]

That's the consequence giving them mobiles and pc in their bedrooms without any cybersecurity advices... Really sad...

[@Kholmi.28]

There is genuinely something wrong with the world..💔