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COLUMBIA (WACH) -- It seems like a simple plan.  Steal someone’s login information for their social media and email, and then launch a diabolical plan to extort nude pictures from the owner.

At least, that was the idea of 19 year old sextortionist John Joaquim, who, on June 14, acquired the login information for an unidentified 20 year old woman, then contacted her and demanded naked pictures of herself in order to return the login information.

Katii Durrell, a friend of the unidentified victim, said “she feels pretty violated.”  According to reports, after Joaquim contacted the victim, she called the police, who in short order, tracked him down, arrested him, and charged him with 2 counts of attempted larceny by extortion and computer crimes.  There have been conflicting reports as to whether or not Joaquim knew the victim.

Unknown at this time is how we obtained the victims login information, which puts concerns about online security in the forefront of peoples minds.  Hacking tools have been available for years to “people in the know,” says Good Day Columbia’s Tech Talk correspondent Stephen Miano.  With new apps and software, “point and click hacking” is becoming readily available to anyone, regardless of their level of computer savvy. 

Often times, computer users are at risk because computers aren’t updated, or people login to accounts in public areas, providing information that can be captured by would be potential identity thieves.

Joaquim isn't the first person to be charged with an extortion plot surrounding Facebook.  In 2010 a 18 year old man was convicted for tricking people into sending nude pictures of themsevles then threating to post the pictures if he didn't have sex with him. Anthony Stancl is serving 15 years for the crime.  In Alabama, 24 year old Jonathan Vance gained control of several teenage girls Facebook pages, and attempted to get them to send nude pictures of themselves.  He is serving 18 years for the crime.  

Joaquim, the suspect in the Connecticut case was released on $7,500 bond, and will be in court on August 17.

What would you do, if someone were to steal your Facebook page or email?  Would you simply create a new one, give in to the demands, or like the victim on this case, call the police?  Please leave your thoughts here or on our Facebook page.