South Carolina Representative Brandon Guffey gave an emotional speech before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on February 19, urging lawmakers to take action against online predators.
Guffey lost his 17-year-old son, Gavin, to suicide in 2022 after a sextortion scam led by a scammer from Nigeria.
Gavin was tricked by a scammer pretending to be a girl on Instagram. The predator convinced him to send explicit photos using “vanish mode,” which deletes messages after they are read.
When Gavin sent the pictures, the scammer blackmailed him, demanding money or threatening to release the images. Gavin, in desperation, sent $25—the only money he had—but the extortion continued. Overwhelmed, he took his own life.
Shockingly, the scammer did not stop there. After Gavin’s death, he targeted Guffey’s younger son, cousin, and even Guffey himself, sending cruel messages, including one that read, “Did I tell you that your son begged for his life?”
After Gavin’s death, Guffey worked with the FBI to track down the suspect, Hassanbunhussein Abolore Lawal, a 24-year-old from Nigeria.
Lawal was extradited to the U.S. earlier this month and now faces serious charges, including sextortion and contributing to a minor’s death. If convicted, he could face life in prison.
Following his son’s death, Guffey took action to prevent similar tragedies. He successfully pushed for “Gavin’s Law” in South Carolina, making sextortion a felony.
If the victim is a minor, the crime is classified as an aggravated felony. The law also requires schools to educate students about the dangers of online sextortion.
“Sextortion is now taught throughout the state,” Guffey said. “Every kid at least has some awareness, so they don’t feel alone like my son did that night.
Guffey criticized major tech companies for not doing enough to protect children from online threats. He recalled a hearing in January where Mark Zuckerberg gave what he called a “forced, pathetic apology” regarding online safety.
He also pushed for changes to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which shields social media companies from being held responsible for harmful content posted on their platforms. Guffey believes this law has allowed Big Tech to avoid accountability.
“Big Tech is the Big Tobacco of this generation,” he warned, calling for stronger regulations.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) reported over 26,710 cases of financial sextortion in 2023, with cases rapidly increasing.
Experts warn that online predators target vulnerable teens, using threats and blackmail to exploit them.
NCMEC urges parents to talk to their children about online safety, reassuring them that they should never comply with blackmailers and should seek help immediately.
While advocating for stronger laws, Guffey also emphasized the need for a cultural shift.
“I believe we’ve lost grace in this country,” he said. “We tell kids that everything they do online will stay with them forever. Imagine if your darkest moment was posted online.”
Brandon Guffey’s heartbreaking loss has turned into a mission to protect children from online dangers. His message to Congress is clear: pass stronger laws, hold Big Tech accountable, and educate children about sextortion before it’s too late.
