Police warn of sextortion scam occurring in Haliburton
Members of the Ontario Provincial Police in Haliburton are warning residents about an extortion scam that has been occurring in the area.
Using fake social media profiles and dating sites, the scammers invite victims to participate in casual online conversations, police said in a news release Tuesday.
"The chat then becomes sexual and the victim is asked to send sexually explicit photographs of themselves or engage in sexual activity that is unknowingly being recorded by the suspect," the release said.
"Once this is complete, the suspect will demand a sum of money or they will expose the explicit photos or video to the victim's friends, family and co-workers online."
To stay safe, police said you shouldn't add unknown people to social media accounts that could enable them access your personal information.
"Police encourage victims of this type of exploitation or similar crimes to report the incident," the release said.
For more information on internet safety, click here.
To report fraud, click here.
Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to contact Haliburton Highlands OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or 1-705-286-1431.
To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or submit information online.
https://www.khcrimestoppers.com/
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Friday that Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.