In recent weeks, the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) - 1 District Criminal Investigations Bureau has seen an increase in online extortion investigations.

Typically these incidents start with a message from an unknown sender to a victim which leads to private conversations in applications such as Snap Chat or Instagram.  The suspect will then attempt to extort the victim for money, with images or video they obtained through the chat.

Halton Police would like to remind the community of the importance of safe internet practices to avoid becoming the victim of such scams. Some tips include:

-Do not to engage in conversations with strangers.

-Never share intimate images online.

-Do not to do anything on camera that you're not comfortable with your friends or family seeing.

Additional online safety tips, as well as an informative video about sextortion can be found on our website here: Sextortion

Anyone with information regarding these types of offences is asked to contact Detective Constable Carson McAulay of the 1 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4777 ext 2442.

Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers.  "See something? Hear something? Know something? Contact Crime Stoppers" at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca.​

 

Sextortion is a form of blackmail and it can happen to anyone.  If you are a victim of sextortion, we are here to help you.

Saving an intimate image without permission constitutes voyeurism.

Report sextortion to the Halton Regional Police Service by calling our non-emergency number at 905-825-4777. 

 

Media Inquiries:

Halton Regional Police Service
Corporate Communications
Phone: 905-825-4899
Email: corpcomm@haltonpolice.ca