FBI Press Releases US

FBI Milwaukee Warns Parents About Online Predators Targeting Children

FBI Milwaukee issued an open letter dated April 22, 2026, alerting parents, guardians, and caregivers to a concerning increase in online predatory activity targeting children across the United States, including Wisconsin. The advisory describes Sadistic Online Exploitation (SOE) tactics, lists potential signs of victimization such as behavior changes, unexplained injuries, and signs of animal cruelty, and provides practical tips for monitoring children's online activities. The FBI advises reporting suspicious activity to 1-800-CALL-FBI or ic3.gov and encourages use of NCMEC's Take It Down service for victims seeking removal of exploited content.