Lincoln Police Chief Joe Meister
Potentially dangerous scam targeting children on social media
Parents please monitor your child's social media usage

 

[November 07, 2024] 

On November 6", 2024, Lincoln Police were alerted to a social media scam targeting children. Scammers are sending friend requests on several social media platforms to children. Once one child accepts, the scammer sends friend requests to all of the user's friend list as well. Personal email addresses have been another route of contacting the children.

The suspects then send the children they are targeting compliments about the photographs they have posted of themselves and the suspects claim to be artists. They request permission to use the child's image to make paintings and include them in their galleries. The suspect informs the child that they have to pay the child for use of their image and need banking information to send the child money. They request that the child send images of their parent's checkbooks, cards and even Venmo or Cashapp information.

When the child refuses or ignores these requests, the suspect threatens violence against them and even goes so far as to send them violent and gruesome imagery.

Parents, Lincoln PD urges you to monitor your child's social media activity.

For all, social media can be a fun experience but also has its dangers. Please don't accept friend requests from people you don't know.

Joseph Meister Chief of Police
Lincoln Police Department