
Left To Their Own Devices Yahoo Boys
Oct 24, 2025
Paul Raffile, a cyber investigations analyst, teams up with Derek and Jill Lentz, grieving parents advocating for tech accountability after their son fell victim to a sextortion scam. They explore the terrifying rise of sextortion cases targeting teens, which have skyrocketed by 18,000%. Raffile shares insights on how scammers operate, including their methods of grooming and exploitation. The Lentz family's heartbreaking story sheds light on the urgent need for platform reform, as they remember their son while calling for greater child safety online.
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Small-Town Normal Before Tragedy
- Derek and Jill Lentz describe their quiet small-town life before the crisis and how Danny fit in.
- They portray Danny as responsible and well-liked, making his death feel especially shocking to the community.
A Night That Ended In Loss
- The Lentz family recounts Danny leaving for a movie and never returning, later found dead at his grandmother's house.
- Their description highlights missed signs and the suddenness of the loss for his parents.
Viral Scripts Drove The Sextortion Surge
- Paul Raffile mapped the surge in sextortion to shared scripts and images spreading among Yahoo Boys.
- Reported U.S. cases of minor-targeted financial sextortion rose from 139 to over 26,000 in two years.
