Mounties in Campbell River, B.C., are urging residents to be cautious as police investigate a rise in social media 'sextortion' cases.
A woman uses her computer keyboard to type while surfing the internet in North Vancouver, B.C., in this file photo dated December 19, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Sextortion involves scammers threatening to post nude or intimate photos of victims if they are not paid in money or online gift cards. Once the photos or videos are sent, the scammer threatens to send them to the victim's friends, family, or coworkers unless they are paid.In 2021, no reports of sextortion incidents were filed with the Campbell River RCMP. But now, in the first eight months of this year, 16 reports of sextortion have been submitted.
If you are blackmailed, Mounties suggested stopping all communication immediately and not complying with demands for money or more images. You're also encouraged to keep a record of all messages to give to police if you report the incident.
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