Campbell River RCMP Reminding Community About A Damaging Trend

Police in Campbell River are reminding the community about a damaging trend on the rise that uses social media to extort nude photos.

Police in Campbell River are reminding the community about a damaging trend on the rise that uses social media to extort nude photos.

Often called ‘sextortion’, the social media scam starts when suspects initiate and lure their targets into a fake online relationship, convincing them to send intimate photos or videos of themselves.

The suspect then states they will distribute the sensitive materials to the victim’s family, friends, and co-workers unless they are paid in money or online gift card credits.

Campbell River RCMP are urging the public to educate themselves and their family members of the dangers of sharing intimate images.

Sergeant Chris Voller says these targeted behaviors appear to be increasing and we need to have these conversations to ensure we protect ourselves and our loved ones.

With no reported sextortions last year, the Campbell River RCMP detachment has received 16 reports of sextortion since the beginning of 2022.

In those instances, criminals are mainly targeting males aged 16 to 30.

Voller says RCMP are urging the public to refrain from sending intimate images to people via the internet, especially when the person is unknown to them.

If someone receives a threat of blackmail, police urge those affected to stop communicating with the other person "immediately," not to comply with demands for money or additional images and keep records of all correspondence to help report the incident to police.