Police are warning male residents of Burnaby of a rise in "sextortion" aimed at men in the city.
RCMP said they'd received more than a dozen complaints since the fall, where men are befriended through a friend request on Facebook.
The online relationship builds, and victims are "encouraged to engage in explicit web cam chats" over Skype, RCMP said in a statement Wednesday.
After the acts are performed, the suspects threaten to post the video on Facebook so their friends and family will see, unless they pay cash to stop it.
"Online extortion scams are a growing problem worldwide and it can have lasting and serious consequences for victims who often feel ashamed and powerless to do anything about it," Sgt. Derek Thibodeau said in the statement.
Many of the scams are believed to originate overseas, and can be difficult for police to investigate. However, the RCMP is working with members of other law enforcement teams internationally.
Police offered the following tips:
- Avoid being intimate online, or sharing intimate photos
- Contact police immediately in the event of an extortion attempt
- Do not send money
Anyone with more information is asked to contact the RCMP at 604-294-7922.
