Six complaints of 'sextortion' made to Kamloops RCMP in past month
Six people have reportedly been blackmailed for sending nude images in Kamloops over the past month. Kamloops RCMP suggest that the "sextortion" reports are not related, but are warning people to be aware of who they send photos to. In a news release, police said the six separate...
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Six people have reportedly been blackmailed for sending nude images in Kamloops over the past month.
Kamloops RCMP suggest that the "sextortion" reports are not related, but are warning people to be aware of who they send photos to.
In a news release, police said the six separate reports involved both adults and youths who shared intimate photos online, only to be blackmailed with the threat of having them distributed.
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"In many of these cases, the fraudster will make contact with the victim via social media and convince them to send a sexual image or perform a sexual act they may be secretly recording," Const. Phil Whiles, Kamloops RCMP Sex Crimes Investigator, said in a news release. "The fraudster then threatens to send the content to others unless the victim sends them money or more content."
Because some of the reports involved teenagers, Whiles suggested it's important for parents to talk with their children about sending nude or intimate photos.
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"We understand it may be uncomfortable for some adults to discuss with their teenagers, but it’s an important discussion to have in order to help prevent the discomfort and fear that can follow after the images have already been sent," he said. "If it does happen, they need to know they can go to a safe, trusted adult to report."
For tips on how to stay safe online and how to prevent sextortion, see the RCMP website here.
Other resources are available www.needhelpnow.ca and www.cybertip.ca.
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