FBI warns parents of social media being used to lure teens into robberies

The FBI is warning the public that teenagers are being scouted on social media to take part in robberies or to be lured away from home, where they become victims of crimes. Authorities are calling on parents to help keep their children safe.

"Any application or social or gaming platform that you can message on can be a way to exploit children," the FBI warns.

Two San Antonio-area robberies involve young women accused of using social media as part of their role in the incidents, KSAT reported.

Universal City police in May arrested 17-year-old Alyssa Victoria Canul, who they say used dating sites to attract young men before robbing and assaulting them. She is accused of partnering with a man who has a long criminal history.

Also last month, Angie Morales, 21, was arrested and faces capital murder charges, accused of using Instagram to set up a deadly robbery in 2022, when she was 17, San Antonio police said.

The FBI said they're seeing social media lures as an issue for young people in their mid- to late teens, though anyone is at risk.

Parents are asked to be observant of changes in their children, particularly increased secrecy.

The FBI said teens are often lured through regular activities online. The agency said if teens are taking their phones into the bathroom or bedroom for extended lengths of time that could be a warning sign.

The cases have sparked conversations driven by local advocacy nonprofit nextTalk, which is pushing parents to have frank conversations with their kids about being online.

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Rather than reprimanding children for coming forward, the organization encourages parents to thank their kids for sharing open dialogue with them.

"We want to create a team environment in the home where the child truly feels safe coming to their parents," nextTalk founder Mandy Majors told KSAT.

Direct messages from strangers can be turned off in privacy settings on phones to help ensure that unfamiliar or unsafe people cannot contact your child. If something concerning is found on a teen's phone, authorities said it's best to take a screenshot and report it to the police or submit a tip to the FBI online.

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This story was originally published June 21, 2026 at 6:52 PM.