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Father campaigns against sextortion scams after son's suicide
Original: The Guardian: My son killed himself after falling victim to an online scam. I heard it happen – and vowed to protect oth
Brandon Guffey's 17-year-old son Gavin died by suicide in 2022 after being targeted by a sextortion scammer on Instagram. In a Guardian first-person account, the father describes hearing it happen and the four years since spent fighting for justice and pushing for stronger protections for children from online extortion schemes.
Why now: The emotional first-person story and ongoing child safety concerns keep sextortion and platform accountability in public debate.
Brandon GuffeyGavin GuffeyInstagramThe Guardian
Evidence
- The Guardian: My son killed himself after falling victim to an online scam. I heard it happen – and vowed to protect other children. “Gavin Guffey was 17 when he was targeted by a ‘sextortionist’ on Instagram. His father Brandon has spent four years fighting for justice, and… · researchbuzz_firehose@rbfirehose.com · 3
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