Rise in sextortion scams targeting boys, men prompts warning from New Westminster police
A spike in sextortion scams targeting boys and men has prompted a warning from police in New Westminster.
The New Westminster Police Department said victims are contacted through various social media platforms by someone typically posing as a female on a fake account.
"They set their location to be somewhere near the victim and ask the victim to send sexually explicit photos, then threaten to release the illicit images unless a ransom is paid," police said in a news release Thursday, adding that demands for money often come from international organized criminal networks.
According to the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, 91 per cent of sextortion victims are male and 79 per cent of sextortion related incidents occurred on Instagram and Snapchat.
Police said New Westminster has seen a rise in sextortion cases over the past couple of years — going from 12 incidents reported in the city in 2021 to 29 cases reported in 2022.
"Victims rarely have any idea what to do. They're in a state of panic and are often dealing with tremendous fear, shame, and significant financial loss," said Sgt. Andrew Leaver. "We believe this is an underreported crime and we're asking anyone who is a victim of sextortion to report it to police."
The NWPD is asking victims to get help instead of complying with the fraudsters or paying money. They also suggest that victims block the person, but not to delete any messages or their social media profile.
Anyone looking to report a sextortion scam can do so by calling investigators at 604-525-5411.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests about relationship with Prince Harry
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they're now named Scouting America
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
New Canadian study could be a lifesaver for thousands suffering from CTE
A first-of-its-kind Canadian research study is working towards a major medical breakthrough for a brain disorder, believed to be caused by repeated head injuries, that can only be detected after death.
Rape, terror and death at sea: How a boat carrying Rohingya children, women and men capsized
In March, Indonesian officials and local fishermen rescued 75 people from the overturned hull of a boat off the coast of Indonesia. Until now, little was known about why the boat capsized.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
These adults born in the '90s partnered with their parents to buy homes in Ontario
An Ontario woman said it would have been impossible to buy a house without her mother – an anecdote that animates the fact that over 17 per cent of Canadian homeowners born in the ‘90s own their property with their parents, according to a new report.
For their protection, immigrants critical of China and India call for speedy passage of Canada's foreign interference legislation
Canadian immigrants threatened by hostile regimes are urging parliamentarians to quickly pass the 'Countering Foreign Interference Act' so they can feel safe living in their adopted home.