A Victim of Cyber Crime, Miss Teen USA of Temecula Vows to Spread Awareness

Newly-crowned Miss Teen USA Cassidy Wolf, 19, of Temecula lists cyber awareness among her platforms.

Wolf, a Great Oak High School graduate, spoke from personal experience in an interview with TODAY.com, telling the media outlet she was the victim of cyber hacking just months before she was crowned Aug. 10.

Wolf alleged that after being notified through Facebook that someone had attempted to log in to her account from another state, she received an email from a stranger. The man stated he had photos of her that were taken via a webcam in her bedroom, and allegedly threatened to extort her, she told TODAY.com.

She also told the media outlet that the incident was being investigated by federal authorities.

An FBI spokeswoman confirmed that.

“Yes, we do have an investigation involving Ms. Wolf as a victim, as well as more than a dozen other victims,” FBI Spokeswoman Laura Eimiller told Patch via phone Thursday. “We have identified the source of the activity; we don’t believe the victimization is ongoing at this point.”

Because the investigation was ongoing, Eimiller said she was limited in commenting further.

Wolf hopes to use her new title to expand awareness among teens about the dangers lurking on the Internet, she told TODAY.com.

A lifelong dancer, Wolf will attend college this fall in New York City, according to her profile on MissUniverse.com.

Before beating out 51 other contestants at the Miss Teen USA pageant held in the Bahamas, Wolf had been crowned Miss California Teen USA in January after just two years of competing in pageants.

“Cassidy loves giving back and supports many organizations as Miss California Teen USA including Steps4Paws, The Gentle Barn, Best Buddies, San Diego Youth at Risk and KAR Dancer Against Cancer,” according to her profile.

“Cassidy has been invited into many classrooms and to speak at group events to share her story as a spokesperson for ‘Cassidy’s Voice,’ her movement against cyber crimes. With her message to teens she hopes to help save and inspire others.”