BC High Students Warned About Extortion Threat On Facebook
BOSTON (CBS) – Students at Boston College High School are being warned about an extortion threat on Facebook.
In a letter sent out to parents, Principal Steve Hughes says one student has already fallen victim to the crime, but worries others could be next.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Karen Twomey reports
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WBZ-TV's Karen Anderson reports
Hughes says the student became Facebook friends with a person named "Sarah John" who appeared to be a teenage girl.
Muigai Unaka, a BC High Student says he feels sorry for the student and his family, "He's probably embarrassed."
In the letter dated February 10, Hughes writes:
"After a few months as a passive friend, this Sarah John initiated conversations that led to the student sharing personal information. Sarah John is now trying to extort money from the student and has threatened to post this very personal information publicly online. We have learned this person has also friended other BC High students."
Hughes says the person appears to live outside of the country. He asks parents to have their sons "unfriend" and block Sarah John.
Anyone who has had a similar interaction should call police.
BC High student Jake Durkin agrees and says, "There are a lot of predators out there so it doesn't surprise me that much."
Boston College High School is an all-male Jesuit school in Boston's Dorchester neighborhood.
The incident comes just a day after WBZ-TV's report on 17 teens whose Facebook photos were lifted off the site and posted on a porn website.
WBZ-TV's Jim Smith spoke to a local expert about staying safe on Facebook:
Have a conversation with your teen about online safety:
- If your teen is using Facebook or other social networking sites, please remind your teen not to accept friend requests from people he does not know.
- If something disturbing should appear on your teen's social networking account, please contact your local police and the school.
- Continue to monitor your teens's use of social networking sites.
- It's important for parents to stay in close touch with their kids as they explore the Internet.
- Teachers can help students use the Internet appropriately and safely.
- It's not at all uncommon for kids to know more about the Internet and computers than their parents or teachers. If that's the case in your home or classroom, you can use this as an opportunity to engage your child by asking them to show you about the Internet.
WBZ-TV's Karen Anderson contributed to this report.
