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Child Sextortion - Victim Information

UNITED STATES vs. YUE VANG (list of social media accounts and usernames: Click Here)

Case Number: 22-cr-98, District of Minnesota

Convicted: Production of Child Pornography, Possession of Child Pornography, and Interstate Communications with Intent To Extort

Charging Document: Information

Charging Press Release: Click Here

Sentencing Press Release: Click Here

 

On September 14, 2022, Yue Vang was sentenced to serve 516 months in federal prison. Upon release from prison, Yue Vang will serve a lifetime term of supervised release. Please see the Sentencing Judgment for a complete description of sentencing conditions.

 

Summary of Offenses:

This is a “sextortion” case brought in the District of Minnesota. On May 24, 2022, defendant Yue Vang was charged in federal court with exploiting more than 500 identified minor girls on multiple social media and chat platforms. Beginning as early as 2015, and continuing through about September 30, 2020, the defendant adopted the personae of real minor girls, and posed as these girls to encourage other minors to produce child pornography and send it to him. When individuals refused to comply, the defendant threatened to and did disseminate sexually explicit images and videos of the minor victims. The defendant also used some minor girls to contact other minor girls on his behalf.

The defendant used multiple social media platforms, including Snapchat, Instagram, Kik, Yubo, Skype, Facebook, and Hoop, to perpetuate his sextortion scheme. The defendant’s social media account names include, but are not limited to, “Yvanime,” “Mickey-Rawr,” “AnimeDork69,” “Animedorktw,” “Bobo195,” and “Fushu2.” 

Questions & Answers Section

  • I received a letter in the mail from the FBI asking me questions about the case.  Is that letter legitimate?  Should I fill it out?

Yes.  As a part of our victim outreach, federal law enforcement sent letters to all identified victims in the case, providing the same sort of information we are providing here and elsewhere online. This letter will direct victims to complete a victim questionnaire, victim impact statement form, and restitution form online. If you received such a letter, it is from federal law enforcement. 

If you didn’t get a letter, that doesn’t mean you aren’t a victim of Yue Vang’s exploitation. We are working to identify victims through our records but also rely on the public to self-identify as victims.

  • How do I know if I’m a victim in the Yue Vang case?

Law enforcement has identified many of the victims in the Vang case. Federal agents have reached out to some of these victims in-person, by phone, and are also sending letters to identified minors of the case asking for victim information. 

If you have not been contacted by law enforcement, that doesn’t mean you are not a victim.  As we continue to investigate the case we are asking individuals to self-identify if they were contacted by or communicated with Yue Vang. 

  • Why was the case brought in Minnesota?  What if I don’t live in Minnesota?

Yue Vang’s exploitation scheme occurred across the United States so a federal case could have been brought in many different places in the country. The US Attorney’s Office District of Minnesota happened to investigate and bring this case. The fact that the case was brought in Minnesota does not affect your rights as a victim, regardless of where you live.

Victim Impact Statement and Restitution Requests:

Anyone who believes they have been harmed by Vang’s criminal actions described above may submit a statement to the court for consideration. Please complete the Victim Impact Statement and Restitution form by downloading the form HERE and selecting submit when completed.

For more information about the investigation, please Click Here.

Victim Rights Information:

Pursuant to the Crime Victims’ Rights Act, 18 U.S.C. § 3771, the Department of Justice is required to provide notice to individuals who may have been harmed as a direct result of the criminal offenses of which a defendant has been convicted. In this context, “harmed” is defined broadly and is not limited to monetary loss. This office uses the Victim Notification System (“VNS”) and other methods, including web pages and press releases, to ensure potential victims receive timely notice of public events related to a case. For more information, go to https://www.justice.gov/usao/resources/crime-victims-rights-ombudsman/victims-rights-act

Other federal laws, including the Mandatory Victim Restitution Act (“MVRA”), 18 U.S.C. § 3663A, and 18 U.S.C. § 2259, govern restitution in this case. Restitution is a determination by the judge that a victim is entitled to monetary compensation for losses suffered as a direct result of a crime for which a defendant has been convicted. It is not a guarantee of payment. In accordance with these laws, the judge at sentencing determines who is a victim and in what amount they are entitled to restitution.

Qualifying victims may be entitled to restitution for: medical and psychological/psychiatric services; necessary transportation, temporary housing, and childcare expenses; lost income; reasonable attorneys’ fees, as well as other costs incurred; and any other relevant losses incurred by the victim proximally caused by the defendant’s crimes. Compensable expenses incurred while participating in the criminal investigation or prosecution or traveling to court proceedings for the case may also be included, such as lost income, childcare, transportation, and other expenses.

Victim Resources:

  • U.S. Department of Justice Office of the Attorney General – Project Safe Childhood: Protecting Children from Online Exploitation and Abuse

https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/Archive/215472NCJRS.pdf

  • National Center for Missing and Exploited Children – Resources for Survivors of Sexual Abuse Material

https://www.missingkids.org/gethelpnow/csam-resources

 

Updated September 29, 2022