The Toronto Police Service would like to make the public aware of an online extortion scam that is being reported to police with increasing frequency.
It is reported that:
– cyber-criminals are creating fake profiles on common online dating sites
– they enter a fake geographic location to appear close to that of the victim, when they are actually located outside of Canada
– when a victim initiates contact, or is contacted by the fake profile, they engage in age- and sex- appropriate social/flirtatious chats
– the chats become sexual in nature and video-chat is then suggested
– at this point, they research the victim using social media websites
– they will refuse or defer meeting in person, insisting on video-chatting
– once the victim agrees to video-chat, the victim is encouraged to disrobe and/or engage in sexual behaviour
– they may present fake photos or videos claiming to be the person in the fake profile
– once the victim engages in compromising behavior in front of the camera, the video chat will stop
– they then send the victim a message informing them their actions have been recorded and will be disclosed to a list of the victim’s friends
– they then demand a monetary payment in exchange for not sending the video
The Toronto Police Service urges internet users to employ the privacy filters offered by social media providers to protect their personal information. Everyone is reminded that, whether in social interaction, or commercial buy/sell transactions, they should always verify the identity of an internet contact in person before deciding to trust that person.
Once information is shared via internet-connected devices such as smartphones, computers and tablets, it is unlikely to be retrieved or erased from the internet.
For more information, please contact Detective Corey Jones at 416-808-3304.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-3300, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637), or Leave A Tip on Facebook. Download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes, Google Play or Blackberry App World.
