SHELBY COUNTY, Ala. ( WBRC ) - The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children reports “sharp increases” this year in internet crimes targeting kids.

“Across, you know, specifically Alabama it’s been prevalent over the last couple years,” said Detective Jason Davis with the Helena Police Department.

Davis reminds parents of the dangers of sextortion.

The NCMEC said it has received more than 18,000 reports of financial sextortion in the first six months of 2025. That’s about 7,000 more reports than last year.

At the end of August , at least eight cases were reported in unincorporated Shelby County alone.

“It’s kind of the ‘new thing,’” Davis said. “You hear about it and it kind of sticks with you.”

Experts say sextortion often begins with someone posing as a young female

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