A 17-year-old boy died by suicide hours after being scammed. The FBI says it's part of a troubling increase in 'sextortion' cases.

Ryan Last received a message on a school night in February from someone he believed to be a girl.

Highlights

A 17-year-old California teen was targeted by a cybercriminal posing as a young girl.
The FBI says there were over 18,000 sextortion-related complaints in 2021, with losses in excess of $13 million.
Experts say young males are especially vulnerable to the scams.
Parents should be aware of the scams and talk to their kids about what they’re doing online, experts say.
A National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available at 800-273-8255 or visit the NSPL’s site: www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/suspective/suicide/sustaining/suicidal.