Ep 788 | The 'Sextortion' Scheme that Killed His Son | Guest: Brian Montgomery

Today we're joined by Brian Montgomery, a father from Mississippi who lost his 16-year-old son Walker to suicide last December after Walker was the victim of an online "sextortion" scam. "Sextortion" is a form of blackmail where someone threatens to share a nude or sexually explicit picture or video of the victim unless the predator’s demands are met, and often teenage boys are the targets. While this is obviously the most horrifying thing that can happen to one's child, Brian walks us through how he and his wife found their son the next morning and how they uncovered what actually happened to him. We discuss why all parents need to be aware of evil scams like this one, even if their kids don't show problematic behavior, and Brian explains why he finds it important to share Walker's story. We also talk about how the Montgomerys have processed what happened and clung to their faith.

---

Timecodes:

(00:59) Interview with Brian begins / about his family

(04:38) No warnings

(07:45) Finding Walker

(14:54) Finding out what happened

(29:55) Allowing children to be alone with a phone

(34:44) Criminal liability & similar stories

(37:27) Warning your kids about this

(41:23) Male and female blind spots

(44:20) Coping

---

Today's Sponsors:

Seven Weeks Coffee — Seven Weeks is a pro-life coffee company with a simple mission: DONATE 10% of every sale to pregnancy care centers across America. Get your organically farmed and pesticide-free coffee at sevenweekscoffee.com and let your coffee serve a greater purpose. Use the promo code 'ALLIE' to save 10% off your order.

Epic Will — be intentional about your family, your values and your wishes. Go to EpicWill.com/ALLIE and you’ll save 10% on your complete Will package.

Naturally It's Clean — visit https://naturallyitsclean.com/allie and use promo code "ALLIE" to receive 15% off your order. If you are an Amazon shopper you can visit https://amzn.to/3IyjFUJ. The promo code discount is only valid on their direct website at www.naturallyitsclean.com/Allie.

---

Links:

FBI AND PARTNERS ISSUE NATIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY ALERT ON FINANCIAL SEXTORTION SCHEMES: https://www.justice.gov/usao-vi/pr/fbi-and-partners-issue-national-public-safety-alert-financial-sextortion-schemes

---

Buy Allie's book, You're Not Enough (& That's Okay): Escaping the Toxic Culture of Self-Love: https://alliebethstuckey.com/book

Relatable merchandise – use promo code 'ALLIE10' for a discount: https://shop.blazemedia.com/collections/allie-stuckey

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices