Cyber News Now: Internet crimes against children surpass 2021 average in Richmond County

RICHMOND COUNTY, Ga. (WFXG) -  According to the FBI, sextortion crimes targeting children are increasing across the nation. The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office warns parents crimes like these are also a big issue here at home too.

"These crimes happen here. Everywhere. Everyday, we have something.” said Investigator Terry Gore, RCSO Crimes Against Children Unit.

Internet crimes against children are a big problem in the United States, especially in Richmond County.

"We almost have more here than anywhere else in Georgia, along with our human trafficking.” said Investigator Gore.

The Sheriff's Office says about 15 to 20 internet crimes against children happen per month in Richmond County. However, there’s an even bigger trend and it’s growing.

"Last year we had a total of 210, that I remember that we’ve had. We’ve already beat that so far this year. We've had about 270 so far this year and it's August." said Investigator Gore. 

Investigator Terry Gore says this is not a victimless crime.

"It’s not called child pornography. It is child sexual abuse images because something happened to this child for this to happen. This goes out. Everywhere. Once it gets on the internet, it’s impossible to get off.” said Investigator Gore. 

It starts on social media - even gaming platforms.

"They’ll get onto the Roblox, or on the Fortnite, or something like that. These gaming systems that these kids are on. Going to discord servers and pretending they are children.” said Investigator Gore. 

But, law enforcement is there too working to get the predators before they get to your kids.

"We work with the GBI when it comes to internet crimes against children as the ICAC task force. We do chatting, which means we get onto the internet and we talk to these people as if we were children.” said Investigator Gore. 

Investigator Gore says if you have concerns, you need to speak up.

"Call us. You know, I can go through your computers, we can find out what’s going on, get some child some help if they need it and hopefully bring people to justice.” said Investigator Gore.