San Francisco FBI warns of online group grooming tactics used by coordinated child predators

>> HE'S HAD A REALLY GOOD WEEK AND IS HAVING FUN WITH THIS. >> THANKS SO MUCH. >>> A NEW WARNING TONIGHT FOR FAMILIES. THE SAN FRANCISCO FBI WANTS YOU TO BE AWARE OF SOMETHING THEY CALL GROUP GROOMING. IT IS A TACTIC BEING USED ONLINE WITH SEXUAL PREDATORS WORKING AS A GROUP TO TARGET MINORS. NBC BAY AREA IS SPEAKING WITH FBI OFFICIALS ABOUT THE WARNING AND WHAT FAMILIES NEED TO KNOW TO PROTECT THEIR KIDS. >> BERNICE SCOTT IS VISITING HER GRANDCHILDREN IN WALNUT CREEK TODAY. THE GROUP INCLUDES TEENAGERS WHO SHE FEELS CAN BE THE MOST VULNERABLE WHEN USING THE INTERNET. >> IT IS UNFORTUNATE THERE ARE PREDATORS IN THIS WORLD THAT PREY ON PEOPLE, CHILDREN. >> Reporter: AND TODAY THE FBI FIELD OFFICE IN SAN FRANCISCO IS WARNING FAMILIES ABOUT GROUP GROOMING. IT IS DESCRIBED AS A GROUP OF SEXUAL PREDATORS POSING AS CHILDREN ONLINE TO TARGET MINORS, ON SOCIAL MEDIA SITES, AND EVEN GAMING COMMUNITIES. THE GROUP ENCOURAGES MINORS TO SHARE SEXUALLY EXPLICIT MATERIALS AND IT DOESN'T STOP THERE. >> ULTIMATELY AND VERY UNFORTUNATELY IN SOME CASES IT PROGRESSES BEYOND AN ONLINE RELATIONSHIP AND INTO AN IN-PERSON HANDS ON OFFENSE WHERE THE PREDATOR ACTUALLY VICTIMIZES, SEXUALLY ASSAULTS THE VICTIM. >> Reporter: DAVE MATHERS IS A SENIOR INSPECTOR WITH THE CONTRA COSTA DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND WORKS FOR THE COUNTY TASK FORCE THAT FOCUSES ON INTERNET CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN. HE SAYS GROUP GROOMING MAY BE A NEW TERM BUT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR QUITE SOMETIME. >> WE HAVE SEEN THAT ON MANY CASES WE WORKED WHERE WE FIND THE ADULT THAT WE ULTIMATELY DISCOVER IS BEHIND THE COMPUTER HAS BEEN COMMUNICATE WG OTHER ADULTS. >> Reporter: SPECIAL AGENT TRIPP SAYS IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE THE OPEN DIALOGUE WITH YOUR KIDS WHEN IT COMES TO THE INTERNET AND TO LOOK FOR THE OBVIOUS RED FLAG WHEN INTERACTING IN CHAT GROUPS. >> THE CONVERSATIONS THAT TURN TOWARD SEXUAL THEMES IN A PLACE WHERE YOUNGER CHILDREN CONGREGATE CERTAINLY THAT IS NOT NORMAL BEHAVIOR. >> IT IS A WARNING VERNICE CAN APPRECIATE >> I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO BE AWARE AND SENSITIVE TO WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE WORLD. >> Reporter: IF YOU BELIEVE YOUR CHILD IS A VICTIM OF GROUP GROOMING THE AGENCY ENCOURAGES FAMILIES TO CONTACT THEIR LOCAL PO

Channel: NBC Bay Area

Views: 13,245

Keywords: San Francisco FBI, FBI, San Francisco, Online, Social media

Id: sn11JxXLJ2c

Length: 2min 13sec (133 seconds)

Published: Fri Jul 07 2023