NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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This bulletin was prepared to warn Canadians of ongoing financial sextortion scams. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) continues to receive reports of victims who have been convinced to perform intimate acts in front of their device's camera and threaten to release images or video unless paid.
Based on reports received, victims are lured into an online relationship through social media or dating websites. As the communication becomes more intimate, victims are encouraged to appear and expose themselves on camera. They may also be asked to share nude photos. Eventually, the fraudster will threaten to release the explicit material (on social media, other online platforms or send it directly to their friends and/or family members) unless a sum of money is paid.
Warning signs
- Being contacted by social or dating profiles that seem perfect. Fraudsters often steal pictures from attractive and/or famous figures from countries victims are not familiar with.
- Fraudsters often recommend transferring the conversation to a different (more private) method of communication (email/text/social media, etc).
- Someone you haven't met, in person, professes their love for you.
- Receiving a request to exchange intimate photos and videos. Fraudsters will often share images or video first to entice the victim to share as well.
- Fraudsters often claim that their microphone is not working for video calls and will insist in texting or typing.
How to protect yourself
- Recognize that live streaming can be recorded and that pre-recorded video can be livestreamed.
- Familiarize yourself with social media privacy settings and consider limiting who has access to your personal information (i.e. friends list, location).
- Unless you know the person offline, there is no way to confirm who is on the other end.
- Trust your instincts, be skeptical and cautious.
- Never send money to someone you haven't met.
Sextortion 2
- Don't get sextorted, send a naked mole rat (www.dontgetsextorted.ca) thanks to CyberTip.ca, a program of the Canadian Centre for Child Protection.
- Learn more and protect yourself from sextortion.
- Learn more tips and tricks for protecting yourself from fraud.
Anyone who suspects they have been the victim of cybercrime or fraud should report it to their local police and to the CAFC's online reporting system or by phone at 1-888-495-8501. If not a victim, report it to the CAFC anyway.
For instances of sextortion involving youth under 18, please also report to www.cybertip.ca. Cybertip.ca is Canada's tip line for reporting online child sexual abuse and exploitation and dedicated to reducing child victimization through technology, education, public awareness, along with supporting survivors and their families.
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