CHATTANOOGA — The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children released new data on June 29, 2026, concerning financial sextortion targeting children and teens. Four agents from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation are working to identify and locate over 150 child victims of sextortion within the state.

In 2025, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children received more than 50,000 reports of financially motivated sextortion, averaging 137 reports per day. In 2024, the organization received more than 36,000 such reports.

Robert Burghardt, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, said the newly released national numbers were not a surprise. "While the newly released numbers are deeply concerning, unfortunately, we are not at all surprised. Those are national statistics. Currently, our four agents assigned to investigate these types of crimes are collectively trying to identify and locate more than 150 child victims of sextortion. Those are just the cases in the state of Tennessee assigned to TBI," Burghardt said.

Burghardt stated that offenders are moving conversations to private messaging and encrypted apps. "This leaves the child carrying an overwhelming emotional burden on their own. Unfortunately, the predators often encourage their victims to commit suicide and some feel like that is their only choice when faced by the threat of having their nude photographs shared with friends and family," he said.

"Education is our strongest defense against financial sextortion. Parents and caregivers need to have conversations with their children about sextortion before a crisis happens," Burghardt said. He added, "Every child should know two things: if it happens, tell a trusted adult immediately, and never pay or cooperate with a blackmailer. Giving in rarely ends the abuse. It almost always encourages more demands."