(NORFOLK COUNTY, ON) – The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Norfolk County Detachment is investigating an incident that was reported from a Simcoe, Norfolk County, Ontario address.
On Sunday, October 25, 2015, police were contacted by a concerned citizen who reported that they met a person online through a video chat website.
Through investigation it was determined that a female met a male online and both exchanged explicit photographs. A demand for money has been made by the male in order for the photographs not to be distributed.
This is being investigated as an extortion offence and police advise all computer users to beware.
We live in a connected world where it’s easy to feel as if our far-away friends are right next door. Having a face-to-face conversation with someone is gaining in popularity and everyone needs to be vigilant when engaging in on-line video chats.
Video chatting allows you to see and hear whom you’re talking to. All you need is a webcam and a computer with an Internet connection. You log into your IM or social network and enable the video chatting. You can’t be anonymous with video chatting.
The fact that your face is right there for all to see, but it’s not just your face that’s on show. Anything else can be, too. That means that some behavior — and some body parts — that you don’t want to exhibit could end up on display.
The screen only lets you see what the other person wants you to see. Another danger is that anyone can take a live video. This means that they can permanently have a video of you.
“Police are urging all computer users to be aware of the dangers of engaging in online web chats where explicit conversations and photographs are shared. Once it’s out there, you can’t get it back,” comments Constable Ed Sanchuk, Norfolk County OPP.
Anyone with information regarding this incident should immediately contact the Ontario Provincial Police at 1 – 888 – 310 – 1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1 – 800 – 222 – 8477 (TIPS) or leave an anonymous online message at www.helpsolvecrime.com where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2000.