Online 'sextortion' scam targeting teens, Kamloops RCMP warns
Sex crimes investigators in Kamloops say they have received six reports in the last month from people, some of whom are teenagers, that were blackmailed after sharing "intimate images" online.
In a statement Monday, Mounties said there is "no evidence" the incidents are related, but the "sextortion" scams follow a similar pattern.
In "many cases," according to police, the victims are targeted through social media.
"The fraudster will make contact with the victim and convince them to send a sexual image or perform a sexual act they may be secretly recording," writes Const. Phil Whiles.
"The fraudster then threatens to send the content to others unless the victim sends them money or more content. Particularly concerning, is that some of these reports involve teenagers."
Mounties say it's important for parents or caregivers to talk to teens about online safety and risk.
"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," Wiles said.
This warning follows a similar one out of Mission last month. Police in that city said they had received multiple reports from teenagers who were targeted specifically through SnapChat.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
Blind Sask. boy heading to international braille competition hopes to increase accessibility for visually impaired
A Saskatchewan boy who qualified for an international braille competition in Los Angeles next month hopes he can inspire change in his home province.
'A step forward': New screening criteria for sperm donors takes effect
Canadians looking to grow their families with the assistance of sperm or egg donations should soon have more options for donors as the federal health agency does away with longstanding restrictions criticized as discriminatory.