Cyber Crime project results in 12 arrests

February 5, 2025

An extensive investigation into the non-consensual sharing of intimate content has resulted in 12 people being arrested and facing a total of 172 charges.

The Thunder Bay Police Service Cyber Crime Unit began investigating in 2023 after learning that multiple women in Thunder Bay had been having their images shared through groups in an online chat platform.

 

As a result of the investigation, a total of 117 victims have been identified, which also includes victims in at least three other countries and across Canada.

 

Investigators obtained 26 production orders, 18 search warrants, and 15 general warrants. The investigation has resulted in nearly 600 exhibits being seized.

 

The accused individuals have turned themselves in to police and are expected to appear in court on Wednesday. More details about the individuals arrested and charges will be made available following court appearances.

 

Anyone with information that could assist investigators is asked to please contact Detective Constable Joel Manherz at (807) 684-1200 ext. 4115. Tips can be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, online at www.p3tips.com.

 

Requests for media interviews can be submitted through the Media Relations Coordinator

June 25, 2025
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June 20, 2025
Police are cautioning the public to be mindful of text message scams. The Thunder Bay Police Service has recently received a report from a resident who received a text message to participate in an online survey about their local police service. The number that sent the message is not obtainable when called. The Thunder Bay Police Service is not currently conducting a survey, and ones conducted in the past have not involved text message invitations to participate. Scammers will frequently send messages that include links. These may be in the form of invitations to participate in surveys, notification of failed mail delivery, payment issues for a subscription service, or a notice from a financial institution. These messages are scams, especially if they refer to a financial institution where the recipient does not have an account, a service the recipient does not use, or if it refers to a delivery the recipient is not expecting. Do not click on the links and delete the messages. Police urge family members and friends to speak to those who may be vulnerable to being targeted by scams. For further information about various frauds and scams that may be circulating, please visit https://www.thunderbaypolice.ca/safety/fraud-prevention or the Canadian Anti Fraud Centre online at: https://antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm To make a fraud/cyber crime online report to the Thunder Bay Police Service, please visit: https://www.services.tryrubicon.com/thunder-bay-police-service/online-reports/report/fraud-cybercrime
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