TBI Warns of Surge in Financial Sextortion Cases Targeting Tennessee Children
Tennessee investigators are currently tracking more than 150 child sextortion victims statewide as national reports surpassed 50,000 in 2025 — nearly 40% more than the year before.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE — The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is urging parents and caregivers to discuss online sextortion with their children after new national data revealed a sharp rise in financially motivated cases targeting minors.
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children received more than 50,000 reports of financially motivated sextortion in 2025 alone, according to the TBI. This figure averages 137 reports each day and marks a significant increase from the more than 36,000 reports filed in 2024.
Tennessee Cases Reflect National Trend
The problem is affecting Tennessee significantly. Robert Burghardt, Assistant Special Agent in Charge who oversees the TBI’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Squad, noted that the state’s investigators are already overwhelmed with local cases.
“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,” said Burghardt.
In most cases, the predator and the child are the only people aware the abuse is occurring until it is reported to law enforcement. That isolation places a heavy burden on young victims.
“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,” Burghardt said.
Offenders Shifting Tactics
The NCMEC is also tracking changes in how offenders operate. Many predators are now moving faster, quickly shifting conversations from public platforms to private messaging and encrypted apps, which makes detecting their activity more difficult for investigators, according to TBI.
The financial nature of this type of sextortion distinguishes it from other forms. Rather than seeking ongoing sexual content, perpetrators typically demand money under the threat of distributing intimate images the victim has already shared.
What Parents and Children Should Know
Burghardt emphasized that education remains the most effective tool against this growing threat. He urged parents not to wait for a crisis before having the conversation.
“Education is our strongest defense against financial sextortion. Parents and caregivers need to have conversations with their children about sextortion before a crisis happens,” said Burghardt. “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.”
If a child is victimized, the TBI asks families to call 1-800-TBI-FIND or file a report with NCMEC online at report.cybertip.org. Additional resources are available through NCMEC’s website at missingkids.org.
