Maidstone RCMP said there are multiple reports sexting The scams were reported between October 2022 and the end of the year.
Saskatchewan internet child abuse unit A warning was issued in November after dozens of reports of ‘sextortion’ involving children were received.
These scams often involve ‘catfishing’ of teenage boys. In this practice, a person uses a fake identity to lure victims online.
RCMP said the perpetrators made themselves known to the victim, who was often a teenage girl. They form an online relationship with the victim until they have enough rapport to persuade the victim to send them sexual photographs or explicit material of themselves.
“The age of the victim has something to do with it,” said Maidstone RCMP officer Noah Devine. “There can be a lot of naïveté with it.”
The perpetrator then demands money, threatening to share sexual content with the victim’s contacts or on social media if they refuse to pay.
According to police, scammers are often requesting anywhere between $200 to $2000 from their victims.
“Given the sensitive nature of these issues, this puts the victim in a very difficult position,” Devine said.
The RCMP is warning the public to be very aware of who they are connecting with on social media.
“Is there any indication that this is a real person?” Devine said that’s something social media users should ask themselves when adding new friends online.
Parents also play a role in educating their children and teens about online safety.
“Be aware of the social media apps your kids are using,” Devine said. “Be aware of who they are talking to on these accounts and educate your children about the dangers of some people’s malicious intent.”
The best procedure to follow for victims of scams is to report the incident to the police as soon as possible and to cease communication with the scammer immediately.
