NEWS RELEASE
SOUTH SIMCOE POLICE SERVICE
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The South Simcoe Police Service is warning the public of online sextortion scams circulating in our communities.
Sextortion is blackmail and occurs when scammers contact victims through social media or dating sites. They trick victims into sharing intimate photos and then threaten to send the images to the victim's family, friends and others unless the victim pays them or provides more sexual content. According to CyberTip.ca, 79% of sextortion incidents occurred on Instagram or Snapchat.
The South Simcoe Police Service would like to remind residents of the importance of safe internet practices to avoid becoming the victim of such scams.
Some tips include:
- Do not to engage in conversations with strangers.
- Never share intimate images or videos online.
- Immediately stop talking to someone who threatens to share intimate images of you.
- Keep a copy of the messages and information about the suspect like their username(s), social media account information, and any images or videos that were sent.
- Never pay money or send additional photos.
- Reach out for help. Tell an adult who can help and report the incident to police.
This fraud relies on the fear and embarrassment of victims to prevent them from telling anyone what happened. If you are being sextorted, report it to police immediately. We are here to help. Parents please discuss online safety with your children. Visit CyberTip.ca to learn more about sextortion. March is Fraud Prevention Month and we encourage you to visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre website for information on the latest scams and how to protect yourself.
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