Evan Boettler, a vibrant 16-year-old from Missouri, was described by his parents as a bright, funny teenager who loved fishing, sports, and hunting. Yet, his life was tragically cut short in January 2024 after falling victim to a sinister cybercrime known as sextortion. The ordeal began when Evan received a chilling message on Snapchat from someone he believed to be a young girl named JennyTee60. Within minutes, ‘Jenny’ coerced him into sharing explicit images and then ruthlessly blackmailed him, threatening to ruin his life. Just 90 minutes after the first message, Evan took his own life.
Sextortion, a rapidly growing online crime, preys on teenagers in the US and Europe, tricking them into sending intimate photos or videos, which scammers then use to extort money. Evan’s parents, Brad and Kari Boettler, were left devastated and searching for answers. Despite their efforts, social media platforms like Meta have refused to share crucial information without a court order, leaving the family in limbo. Law enforcement has made little progress in the two years since Evan’s death, with the only lead being an IP address traced to Nigeria.
Investigations led to Lagos, Nigeria, where sextortion has evolved into a highly organized criminal enterprise. Scammers, often young men in their 20s, operate in ‘Hustle Kingdoms’—rooms filled with individuals running scams on laptops and phones. These operations are run by leaders who take a cut of the profits, creating a cycle of exploitation. Some scammers even turn to traditional healers for rituals believed to bring wealth and protection, blending ancient practices with modern technology.
In the US, reports of sextortion to the FBI have more than doubled in the past three years, reaching 55,000 cases in 2024. Social media companies like Meta claim to be taking action, but critics argue their efforts are insufficient. Brandon Guffey, a South Carolina state representative, lost his 17-year-old son Gavin to sextortion in 2022 and has since been pushing for greater accountability from platforms like Instagram.
Despite Meta’s claims of removing 63,000 sextortion accounts linked to Nigeria in a single sweep, the scale of the problem remains staggering. For Evan’s parents, the search for justice has hit a dead end. The IP address linked to Evan’s scammer led to GloWorld, a Nigerian service provider that failed to retain user information, leaving the trail cold.
Evan’s story is a heartbreaking reminder of the devastating impact of sextortion and the urgent need for stronger protections for young people online. His parents continue to honor his memory, remembering him as ‘an amazing kid’ who was easy to parent because of his kind and loving nature.