(CBS DETROIT) – A South Carolina man is facing a seven-count indictment accusing him of racketeering causing the death of a Michigan resident, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced.
According to the indictment, between August 2 and 4, 2023, Glenn Daeward Boyd, 35, of Kershaw, South Carolina, posed as an 18-year-old woman on a dating website and sent nude photos to the victim. Boyd then told the victim he was actually 15 and posed as the teen’s grandparents, threatening to report him to his friends, family and police unless he paid money.
Federal officials say the victim committed suicide as a result of the extortion.
“Our deepest condolences go out to the victim’s family and loved ones at the center of this case,” Cheyvoryea Gibson, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Michigan office, said in a statement. “Sextortionists use whatever means necessary to exploit and deceive their targets, relying on the victim’s feelings of shame and fear to achieve their goals. “The FBI has several resources available to anyone who believes they are the victims of an extortion scheme.”
The FBI has provided the following tips to protect yourself from sextortion:
- Be selective in what you share online.
- Be wary of anyone you meet online for the first time. Block or ignore messages from strangers.
- Keep in mind that people can pretend to be something or someone online. Videos and photos are not proof that people are who they say they are.
- Be suspicious if you meet someone on one game or app and they ask you to start talking on another platform.
- Be informed. Any content you create online, whether it’s a text message, photo or video, can be made public.
- Be willing to ask for help. If you receive online messages or requests that do not seem appropriate, block the sender, report the behavior to the site administrator, or see an adult.
“Nationally and here in Michigan, we have seen a surprising increase in the number of racketeering crimes – as we have alleged here – that result in the death of the victim,” U.S. Attorney Mark Totten said in a statement. “We are fully committed to holding the perpetrators of these crimes accountable. At the same time, I urge anyone who carries a device or is active online to remain aware that criminals are constantly scouring the internet and social media, and not assuming people are who they are. to say they are, and to know that if you make a mistake, the police are eager and willing to help.”
