How QLD boys were threatened, extorted for money via Snapchat
Police are investigating after two boys were violently threatened with a photo of a gun over social media and told to hand over cash with people on their way to their home.
QLD News
Don't miss out on the headlines from QLD News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Police are investigating after two boys were violently threatened with a photo of a handgun over social media and told to hand over cash as people were on their way to their home.
A Queensland Police Service spokeswoman said police were called to a Kin Kin address about 2.10pm on February 15 after threats had been made to two boys via the popular messaging app Snapchat.
Police said as the boys’ location was visible, the unknown person showed the boys that they knew where they lived and made violent threats if they did not transfer money.
According to a post on the Kin Kin Community Facebook board, the boys were sent a photo of a handgun in a car with the caption, “on my way to your house now”.
The boys were told that a group of men would come to their home to “bash” them and their family and “burn the house down if they don’t fork over money”.
Commenters reverse image searched the gun photo and found it seemed to originate in a Reddit post from six months ago and could have been used as a stock image.
Snapchat has a feature called “Snap Map”, which allows friends to view each other’s location.
The friend request from the instigator, with username “Cooper” showed that they had mutual friends.
“Cooper’s” Snap Map location showed them at Moran Group Road in Kin Kin, but the poster believed it could be a hacked account.
The police spokeswoman said officers believed this was an isolated incident, however anyone who had a similar experienced was urged to contact police as investigations are ongoing.
The spokeswoman reminded anyone using Snapchat or similar apps to not display their location or talk to anyone they do not personally know and trust.
“We encourage parents and carers to have regular conversations with their children on how to safely navigate the internet and to understand the implications of their actions online, including having their location shared publicly or talking to a stranger,” she said.
“Children must know they can speak to a trusted adult, friend or relative to seek advice and support, if they feel unsafe or uncomfortable when online.”
Police reminded parents that a child should not have unsupervised internet access and they should also be aware of what apps their children are using.
Officers from Pomona Police Station led a cyber security presentation for school students and parents in the Sunshine Coast hinterland in November and will continue to proactively work to educate children and parents on the dangers of online and social media use.
More Coverage
Originally published as How QLD boys were threatened, extorted for money via Snapchat
The Sunday Quiz: Who created Dame Edna Everage?
Where was the Great Emu War? Which planet is closest to the sun? What year did Shane Warne die? Put your knowledge of trivia to the test with The Sunday Quiz.
Teens accused of Qld woman’s rape known to police
The three teens charged over a violent Cairns home invasion where a woman was allegedly dragged from her bed and raped were known to police as the community is gripped by fear.