Police are reminding people to be careful about who they send intimate photos to after a 15-year-old West Perth resident fell victim to a sextortion scam.
Perth County OPP report the victim shared intimate photos a year ago with someone she met online. The suspect recently sent the intimate photos to the victims' friends over a social media app and demanded money to remove the photos.
"Sextortion, as it is commonly referred to, is where people engage in sexually explicit conversations or 'video chats' and one of the people involved, threatens the other that they will share the sexually explicit videos or images with the other parties' family and friends unless they receive money, more material or engage in sexual acts," police said. "These scammers are using fake profiles on social media and dating websites to lure you into a relationship and coerce you into performing sexual acts on camera."
Police say that, if someone starts demanding payment and threatening you regarding photos or videos, never pay the money. Instead, block them from all social media, screen shot messages they sent you, immediately contact police.
"There is always a risk in sharing any personal or sexually explicit images over the intent," police said. "Think twice before you send or post anything. Before you hit 'send' remember that you cannot control where this image or video may travel."
Anyone who is a victim of the sextortion scam is advised to call police at 1-888-310-1122 or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Center at 1-888-495-8501.
