On December 19, 2025, Florida Congresswoman Laurel Lee’s Combating Online Predators Act cleared a major hurdle in Washington, passing through the Republican-led House Judiciary Committee and proceeding to the House floor for debate. This legislative move comes as communities across North America grapple with a sharp rise in sextortion crimes—digital schemes where predators threaten to distribute intimate images to extort victims, often with devastating consequences.
Lee’s bill aims to fill what she calls a “dangerous loophole” in federal law by explicitly criminalizing threats to distribute child sexual abuse material (CSAM), a tactic increasingly used by online predators to target minors. According to Lee, Congress must act decisively: “This legislation closes a dangerous loophole in federal law by explicitly criminalizing sextortion, a tactic predators use to threaten the distribution of child sexual abuse material to exploit minors.” She added, “Congress has a responsibility to keep our laws aligned with the realities children face online and to ensure law enforcement has the tools needed to hold predators fully accountable.”
Sextortion is not a new phenomenon, but its prevalence and impact have grown alarmingly in recent years. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) reported a dramatic surge in financial sextortion cases in 2023, with 26,718 cases—more than double the 10,731 reported in 2022. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has echoed these concerns, warning of a sharp increase in sextortion schemes targeting minors, particularly teenage boys. The consequences can be tragic; a widely reported case involved a 15-year-old boy in West Virginia who died by suicide after falling victim to such a scam.
Lee’s sense of urgency is shared by many in law enforcement and advocacy groups. In a press release, she stated, “Sextortion is a devastating crime that preys on fear, shame, and vulnerability—especially among children. When predators threaten to distribute explicit images of minors, the harm is real and often irreversible. Congress has a duty to ensure our laws keep pace with the tactics used by online predators.”
But the issue is not confined to the United States. Just north of the border, in Guelph, Ontario, a young man in his 20s recently became the target of a sextortion scam that began innocuously enough on a dating app. According to a report from CityNews Kitchener, the victim and a woman struck up a conversation that quickly escalated to an intimate video chat. The woman abruptly ended the communication and later sent the man screenshots of his social media followers, threatening to send the intimate video to them unless he paid her $7,000.
Unlike many who feel cornered, the Guelph man refused to pay and instead went directly to the police on December 18, 2025. Guelph Police spokesperson Scott Tracey told 570 NewsRadio that cases like this are notoriously difficult to investigate, especially when suspects are located overseas. “It is very difficult to investigate a case like this, due to geography, and the anonymous nature of the crimes,” Tracey explained. Investigators believe the suspect is in Asia, highlighting the cross-border challenges that often frustrate law enforcement efforts.
As of December 19, the intimate video had not been released publicly, offering a small measure of relief to the victim. Still, Tracey emphasized the importance of public awareness and prevention: “Guelph Police try to be proactive instead, and warn the public not to fall for sextortion schemes.” The department regularly issues advisories about the risks of sharing intimate content online and encourages victims to come forward rather than succumb to blackmail.
These two stories—one legislative, one personal—underscore the complexity of the sextortion epidemic. The digital age has made it easier than ever for predators to reach vulnerable individuals, often with little fear of consequence due to gaps in existing laws and the anonymity afforded by the internet. The fact that suspects can operate from continents away only compounds the problem, leaving victims feeling isolated and powerless.
Law enforcement agencies on both sides of the border are adapting their strategies. In the United States, the push for new legislation like the Combating Online Predators Act reflects an acknowledgment that current laws are not keeping pace with the evolving tactics of online criminals. By explicitly criminalizing threats to distribute CSAM, the Act aims to close loopholes that have allowed some offenders to evade prosecution, even when their actions inflict severe harm.
In Canada, police forces like Guelph’s are focusing on education and prevention, recognizing that the best defense is often a well-informed public. Officers urge anyone targeted by sextortion schemes to resist the pressure to pay and to report incidents immediately. The hope is that by reducing the stigma and shame associated with these crimes, more victims will feel empowered to seek help.
The stakes are high. As Lee and others point out, the psychological toll of sextortion can be profound, especially for young people. Victims often experience intense fear, anxiety, and shame, sometimes with tragic outcomes. The case of the West Virginia teen is a heartbreaking example of how these crimes can spiral out of control, leaving families and communities searching for answers—and justice.
Meanwhile, the legislative process in Washington will continue to play out in the coming weeks. If passed, the Combating Online Predators Act could set a new standard for how the United States addresses sextortion, sending a clear message that threats to distribute CSAM will not be tolerated. Supporters argue that such measures are long overdue, given the scale and severity of the problem.
Opponents of new criminal statutes sometimes raise concerns about overreach or unintended consequences, but in this case, the bipartisan consensus appears to be growing. The sheer volume of reported cases, coupled with the tragic outcomes in some instances, has galvanized lawmakers across the aisle. As the Act moves to the House floor, advocates are hopeful that Congress will seize the moment to strengthen protections for minors and give law enforcement the tools they need to pursue offenders—no matter where in the world they operate.
For now, the stories from Florida to Guelph serve as stark reminders of the dangers lurking online and the urgent need for action. Whether through new laws, public education, or international cooperation, communities are searching for ways to turn the tide against sextortion and support those who find themselves in its crosshairs. As technology continues to evolve, so too must the responses of lawmakers, police, and society at large if they hope to keep pace with those who would exploit the most vulnerable among us.
