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PD: Snapchat user trying to get Billerica students to send inappropriate pics

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Someone is targeting young girls on the popular social media app, Snapchat, according to Billerica school officials.

A Billerica school resource officer sent a letter home last week saying an unknown person was reaching out to teenagers on Snapchat. The person is allegedly using the name, or a name similar to other students, and is asking for inappropriate pictures.

If the girls refuse, the person threatens to Photoshop their picture on a naked body and spread it around.

Police are trying to get the word out that one student has already fallen victim to this.

The letter sent to parents reads as follows:

Dear Parents,
Over the last few weeks I have been working with the schools on investigating an emerging trend affecting our juvenile population, specifically teenage girls (6th-9th grade). There have been several reported cases of an unknown person reaching out to girls using the Snapchat app. This person is using names of our actual students, with some slight modifications, and asking the girls to send inappropriate pictures. When the girls refuse, the person is threatening to spread rumors about the girls or is threatening to Photoshop pictures and send them out claiming they are real. Obviously, this has been very troubling for those who have been victimized. Please, take a moment to talk with your kids about social media awareness and stress to them if they see or receive anything suspicious on social media to report it to you or another adult. I am hoping if we raise awareness about this particular trend, we will either find out who is doing it or it will stop. Please feel free to contact me with any questions and thank you for your assistance in helping us protect our younger population.

Boston 25 News reached out to the school superintendent, who had no comment.

Police say if you get a message like this, report it immediately.

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