North Vancouver RCMP has warned residents after receiving four reports of an extortion scam in just two days. The scam involves perpetrators claiming to possess compromising photos of the victims, demanding payments through Bitcoin to prevent the release of the images to friends and family.
The scam begins with the suspect sending an email to the victim, alleging that they have been viewing adult content online. The email further claims that malware installed on the victim’s device has captured explicit photos. To bolster the threat, the suspect provides personal information, such as a photo of the victim’s house, name, and date of birth, as proof that they know where the victim lives.
The extortionists then demand an immediate payment of $2,000 via Bitcoin, threatening to release the purported photos if the demand is unmet.
“Thankfully, in all of the four cases reported to the police, the victims did not comply with the demands and contacted us right away,” said Constable Mansoor Sahak, Media Relations Officer for the North Vancouver RCMP. “We urge residents to exercise caution, avoid falling victim to this scam, and report any suspicious activity through our online crime reporting tool.”
The RCMP has provided guidelines on protecting oneself online, advising individuals to refrain from sharing personal or computer-related information with untrusted sources. Residents are also encouraged to be cautious when opening unsolicited emails or links and to avoid sharing sensitive information on personal accounts or websites.
For those who may fall victim to sextortion, the RCMP recommends immediate action:
- Cease all communication with the suspect and deactivate any accounts used to communicate.
- Do not comply with the demands, as paying money or sending additional photos will likely worsen the situation.
- If a payment has been made, check if it has been collected and attempt to cancel it if possible.
- Report the incident to the police and retain any correspondence, including usernames, social media accounts, and other relevant information.
- Speak with a trusted adult or counselor for support.
