So, I’m in a really tight spot. I met a girl on a dating app who said she was 22. Later, she told me she was 17, turning 18 in five days. I didn’t know what to do, but I thought 17 was the age of consent in Illinois, so we kept talking. I only said one thing remotely sexual (just mentioned my past), but she started suggesting meeting up. I ignored it, and then she sent me an illicit image the next day, so I blocked her. Now, a detective called me, and her family says they won’t press charges if I send them $3,000. Not sure what’s legit here. Any advice?
Yikes, this sounds like a mess. Did the detective give any formal details, like a case number or something?
Arden said:
Yikes, this sounds like a mess. Did the detective give any formal details, like a case number or something?
No, it was just a phone call. Nothing formal. I’m not even sure if it’s legit or not.
Arden said:
Yikes, this sounds like a mess. Did the detective give any formal details, like a case number or something?
Yeah, that sounds sketchy. Real detectives don’t usually operate like that, especially with money demands.
The $3,000 thing screams scam to me. No way law enforcement would deal with a situation like that.
Heath said:
The $3,000 thing screams scam to me. No way law enforcement would deal with a situation like that.
That’s what I thought too, but it’s still freaking me out.
Heath said:
The $3,000 thing screams scam to me. No way law enforcement would deal with a situation like that.
Don’t pay them. If it’s real, there will be proper legal channels, not random family demands.
Did you keep any proof of what happened? Like screenshots of the chats or the image she sent?
Ash said:
Did you keep any proof of what happened? Like screenshots of the chats or the image she sent?
Yeah, I saved screenshots of everything before blocking her.
Ash said:
Did you keep any proof of what happened? Like screenshots of the chats or the image she sent?
Good call. That might be helpful if things escalate.
FYI, Illinois’ age of consent is 17, but laws around communicating with minors can still be tricky. Be careful.
Vaughn said:
FYI, Illinois’ age of consent is 17, but laws around communicating with minors can still be tricky. Be careful.
Yeah, that’s what I read too. I wasn’t sure how strict things get when it’s just texting.
Vaughn said:
FYI, Illinois’ age of consent is 17, but laws around communicating with minors can still be tricky. Be careful.
It’s not just the age—it’s the content of the chats and how they interpret it legally.
Did the detective say they’d contact you again, or was it a one-time thing?
Grayden said:
Did the detective say they’d contact you again, or was it a one-time thing?
They didn’t say. Just told me about the $3,000 deal the family wants.
Grayden said:
Did the detective say they’d contact you again, or was it a one-time thing?
That doesn’t sound right. I’d get legal advice before doing anything else.