Be wary of sextortion scams, RCMP says
You may think it’s love, but it’s really just a scam.
RCMP say romance scammers are alive and well all over the internet, and it’s important to remember to keep yourself and your privacy safe.
Here is an example one of the most common sextortion scams reported to police:
You receive an unsolicited friend request or contact on social media, and an online relationship develops. As the relationship builds, you are encouraged to send explicit photos or video of yourself. Later, you’re contacted and told that the photo or video will be sent to your loved ones, or posted online unless you pay money to the extorter.
Tips to prevent sextortion:
- Do not accept friend requests from strangers on social media
- Disable your webcam when you are not using it
- Do not share explicit photographs or videos with anyone
If you are a victim of Sextortion:
- Stop communicating with the individual immediately
- Save all correspondence
- Report the matter to your local police
“It’s also very important to have conversations about internet safety with your children,” RCMP Cpl. Jocelyn Noseworthy, said. “They need to know how to keep themselves safe, and to report threatening or sexually suggestive behaviour they encounter to a trusted adult immediately.”
Click here for more information on how to protect yourself from scams and frauds.