(RENFREW, ON) – The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is investigating after two unrelated extortion cases were reported. In each case the victims began a relationship with someone they met on a social media site. The first victim then advised the suspect was able to access intimate photos of a sexual nature stored on the victim’s phone. The suspect threatened to forward the photos to the victim’s family and friends unless money was transferred to them through a money transfer service.
The second victim was coerced to perform a sexual act in front of a webcam for the suspect to observe. The suspect then advised the victim they had been videotaped and the tape would be sent to family members unless a sum of money was transferred to the suspect.
This type of extortion or “Sextortion” is a common computer scam. Victims are often embarrassed and do not report to police what is happening. In order to protect yourself be careful in adding friends to social media accounts, and don’t be fooled into undressing or performing sexual acts in front of webcams. Report attempts at frauds to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501, or the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. More information on frauds and scams is available at www.antifraudcentre.ca