The parents of a British teenager who tragically took his own life after becoming a victim of sextortion have made a heartfelt plea to the criminals behind the crime, urging them to stop “terrorising” vulnerable young people. Mark and Ros Dowey, parents of Murray Dowey, who was just 16 when he ended his life last year, have called out the criminals involved in sextortion, particularly those based in Nigeria, for their role in his death. They also expressed outrage at social media companies for not doing more to protect children from online exploitation, stating that they “have blood on their hands.”
A Cruel and Exploitative Crime
Murray Dowey’s death was the tragic result of being lured by online criminals who tricked him into sending intimate pictures. These criminals, often operating out of West Africa, then blackmailed him, threatening to share the images with his family and friends unless he met their demands. It is believed that this pressure contributed to his decision to take his own life.
The parents of the teenager, who are now speaking out against this horrific crime, have described it as “abuse” and an “industry” for the criminals involved. They stated, “You’re abusing children. You’ve ended Murray’s life.” In a direct message to the criminals, they questioned how they would feel if it was their own child or loved one who was subjected to such cruelty, emphasizing the devastating impact of the crime.
A Growing Problem in Nigeria
Sextortion has become a booming business in Nigeria, with young men known as “yahoo boys” targeting victims across the globe. The scale of this crime is shocking, with guides and resources on how to get involved in sextortion readily available online. The criminals often find victims through social media, exploiting their online presence and using their followers and friends to escalate the threats.
BBC News Investigations has shed light on the grim reality of sextortion in Nigeria, interviewing a man involved in the crime who explained that for him, it was a matter of survival. “It’s survival of the fittest,” he said, treating it like a game. However, after hearing the emotional appeal from Murray’s parents, the man admitted to feeling “very bad” and was visibly moved by their words.
Tech Companies Under Fire
While the Dowey family condemns the criminals who targeted their son, they also hold social media companies accountable for enabling such crimes. Sextorters often use social media platforms to identify and groom their victims. Murray’s parents believe that these tech companies have the ability to stop many of these crimes from happening, but that they are choosing not to in order to protect their profits. Mark Dowey stated, “It will stop them making more billions than they’re making.”
The family’s anger is also fueled by the lack of action from platforms that could implement safeguards to protect users. “The technologies are there for them to stop so many of these crimes,” Ros Dowey said, accusing the companies of turning a blind eye to the issue.
Underreported Crime and the Strain on Victims
Sextortion is a crime that disproportionately affects young people, particularly boys aged 14 to 18, according to analysis by the UK National Crime Agency. Victims often feel too ashamed or scared to come forward, contributing to the underreporting of the crime. The Doweys are devastated that they had no idea what their son was going through until it was too late. “We had no chance to intervene, to notice there was something wrong and try and help and fix it,” Ros said, reflecting on the family’s helplessness.
Mark Dowey described his son as “a really lovely kid” and expressed that they were completely unaware of the torment Murray was enduring online. “He went up to his room, and he was absolutely fine. And you know, we found him dead the next morning,” he shared, emphasizing the shock and disbelief that followed their son’s sudden death.
A Call for Change
The tragic story of Murray Dowey serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of sextortion and the need for urgent action to protect young people online. Both the criminals exploiting vulnerable children and the tech companies that enable them are facing mounting pressure to do more. As the Dowey family continues their campaign to raise awareness about this crime, they are urging others to join them in calling for change, so that no more lives are lost to this cruel and preventable form of exploitation.
