Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force

11/14/2025

A big thanks goes out to the RISE Coalition for their segment on Living Well! A must see for parents/grandparents.

~CC

Visit the post for more.

11/06/2025

Better late than never! In October 2025, the SMCCTF received 115 Cyber Tipline Reports (CTRs) from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). These CTRs generated 82 unique cases that require thorough investigation and represent just a fraction of the ongoing cases. The accompanying images offer a detailed statistical breakdown.

We are seeing trends similar to last month, with a rise in Online Enticement cases. Additionally, there were noticeable spikes in self-produced content, particularly on YouTube by youngsters ages 5-8.

~cc

10/29/2025

🎃 Halloween doesn’t have to be a fright night for safety-minded parents and guardians! 🎃 With a few boo-tifully simple tips from NCMEC, you can keep the scares fun, not fearful, and make sure everyone has a spook-tacularly safe time.

https://www.missingkids.org/blog/2025/no-tricks-just-treats-halloween-safety-tips-for-a-fright-free-night

~ CC

The leaves are falling, the air is crisp and Halloween is creeping closer! As kids step into their...

10/02/2025

In September 2025, the SMCCTF received 108 Cyber Tipline Reports (CTRs) from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). These CTRs generated 37 unique cases that require thorough investigation and represent just a fraction of the ongoing cases. The accompanying images offer a detailed statistical breakdown.
~cc

10/01/2025

S*xtortion: He trusted a DM (direct message.) It became a death sentence. It can happen to anyone's child... and the numbers are rising.
https://www.espn.com/high-school/story/_/id/45852691/fbi-extortion-online-youth

More information:
https://www.missingkids.org/theissues/s*xtortion

Please share!

~cc

A Michigan teen was goaded into sharing an intimate photo that scammers threatened to expose unless he paid up.

09/24/2025

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdmo/pr/springfield-man-sentenced-50-years-s*xual-exploitation-two-child-victims

Yevgeniy Dudko, 53, Springfield, Mo., sentenced to 50 years in federal prison after being found guilty at bench trial of s*xually exploiting two child victims.

09/19/2025

https://www.ky3.com/2025/09/19/revised-missouri-law-adds-protection-against-online-predators/

An update to a Missouri law involving child cybercrime safety took effect at the end of August.

09/10/2025

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdmo/pr/stone-county-s*x-offender-sentenced-child-po*******hy

A Galena, Mo., man who is a registered s*x offender was sentenced in federal court yesterday for receiving and distributing child po*******hy.

09/03/2025

In August 2025, the SMCCTF received 67 Cyber Tipline Reports (CTRs) from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). These CTRs generated 45 unique cases that require thorough investigation and represent just a fraction of the ongoing cases. The accompanying images offer a detailed statistical breakdown.

We are still seeing an increase in kids self producing explicit content and sharing it online. Especially on YouTube. Parents can help prevent this by setting limits and supervising YouTube use. Tools like YouTube Kids and supervised accounts through Family Link give you control over what your child sees and shares. Learn more here: https://support.google.com/families/answer/10495678?hl=en

~cc

08/19/2025

Today we met with behavioral health professionals from Ozark Center/Will’s Place to talk about exploitation in the digital age and how families can stay safe online. Together, we shared resources designed to help parents recognize risks, start conversations, and protect their children.

We are especially thankful for the dedicated professionals at Will’s Place who work every day to support and care for our children and families. 💙

📘 Parents can access the full toolkit here: https://smcctf.org/bhp-resources/

~cc