BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

New York State Police are warning the public of a nationwide automated sextortion scam that utilizes a person's email address to coerce payments through intimidation and threats of embarrassment and public shame.

Police say the scammers obtain emails and other personal information purchased illegally on the dark web to contact victims, stating they have the victim's personal information, typically including a photo of the victims residence, along with instructions to make a payment in Bitcoin to avoid repercussions.

The scammers also attempt to convince the victim they have control of their electronic devices, like cell phones, tablets, and computers, with the use of software that tracks the victim's personal accounts and internet use.

Scammers pressure victims to act quickly by claiming they have possession of sexually explicit or pornographic material of the victim, threatening to disclose the image if a ransom is not paid in 24-48 hours.

Police say that despite the claims, the scammer does not have access to the victim's device or personal information.

If you receive one of these emails, do not engage or share any personal information such as birthdates, phone numbers, social security numbers or any financial information. 

Victims should block the sender, delete the email, and report it through the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) www.ic3.gov.

If someone believes that they are the victim of sextortion or identity theft, the FBI encourages them to report it by contacting their local FBI office or calling 1‐800‐CALL‐FBI. The New York State Police (NYSP) or local law enforcement agencies can also assist with criminal investigations.

Sextortion has proven to be a local issue with multiple youth taking their lives in recent years due to the actions of evil actors.

In response, Congress has sought to pass the Kids Online Safety Act in the 117th and 118th Congress.

The legislation would require internet service platforms to include features to protect minors, including restricting communications with non-minors and restricting public access to personal data.

Other requirements include tools for parents to better protect their children and make it easier for both parents and minors to report harmful content.

Internet service providers would also undergo independent, third-party audits and issue public transparency reports that detail possible harms to minors and the effects to address the harms.

Beginning with the 2023 State of the Union Address, President Joe Biden called for more protections of children, especially against evil actors online and other potential harms to youth.

In November 2023, Arturo Beja, a former Meta engineer director testified before a Senate subcommittee hearing to detail the effects, in many cases negative effects, social media has on the mental health of teens and it's role in the growing mental health crisis.

The testimony led to a renewed push to pass the Kids Online Safety Act, prompting the Senate to hold a meeting with CEOs from Meta, TikTok, Snap Inc., Discord and Twitter.

Following those meetings, the Senate secured the necessary votes to pass the bill, eventually doing so on July 30, 2024 by a 91-3 vote.

Despite the Senate's action, House of Representatives members have yet to pass the version of the bill passed by the Senate earlier this year.

Many critics have suggested that House Republicans disagreed with the legislation and sought to push a separate privacy bill, however Republican leadership has failed to advance the Kids Online Safety Act until Sept. 18.

Though the bill was advanced, House Republicans attached several amendments focused on the "duty of care" portions of the legislation. Critics of the move say the amendments have created larger gaps with the Senate version of the bill, almost guaranteeing the legislation will not pass as it stands.

The House bill, H.R. 7891, currently has 60 co-sponsors including Congresswoman Elise Stefanik.

The "duty of care" portions relate to systems that would be put in place by internet service platforms to reduce harmful content to minors, including "bullying, violence and content that promotes suicide, eating disorders, substance abuse, sexual exploitation of minors and advertisements for illegal products."

It is unclear at this time if the bill will progress further in the house or come to the floor for a vote during the current legislative session.