DRYDEN – NEWS – Technology has changed things for many people. So has COVID-19. For many people online relationships have become far more common. With those situations also can come problems.
Dryden OPP report that on May 19, 2022 members of the Dryden Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received a report of a “sextortion” scam.
Sextortion is a form of extortion where an online blackmailer uses the threat of publishing or sending intimate images or videos to contacts, unless the victim meets their demands.
In this incidence, the victim was communicating with an unknown person on social media and exchanged intimate images with the suspect.
The suspect then threatened to distribute the intimate images of the victim publicly if the victim did not send a certain amount of money.
Dryden OPP would like to remind members of the public to follow safe internet practices.
Prior to engaging in conversations stop and think are you putting yourself at risk?
Does it sound too good to be true?
Remember to respect yourself as well as others.
If something similar happens to you, stop all communication with the person and do not comply with the threats. Contact police who can provide advice on the next steps to take. Also, take screenshots, and keep copies of the messages and information such as the username.
For more information on frauds, visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at http://www.antifraudcentre.ca. For more information about online safety, especially for children and teens, visit http://www.protectchildren.ca
