SCAM ALERT: Explicit content extortion
The Thunder Bay Police Service is advising the public of an extortion scam that is currently circulating and targeting local residents.
Police have recently received multiple reports of people receiving messages containing a threat to have explicit images or videos of themselves posted online unless the recipients pay a fee.
The fraudsters may request payment in the form of gift cards, e-transfers, or cryptocurrency. These scammers are frequently located outside of Canada and do not have possession of any genuine images or videos of the individuals they are attempting to extort.
Anyone receiving these kinds of messages should disregard them and not respond. Do not send any form of payment.
The Thunder Bay Police Service’s Economic Crime Unit is urging family members and friends to speak to those who may be vulnerable to being targeted by this type of scam.
March is Fraud Prevention Month. For further information about various frauds and scams that may be circulating, please visit 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
