SCAM ALERT: Explicit content extortion

March 10, 2025

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

June 25, 2025
TB25019537 & TB25024831
June 24, 2025
TB25024025
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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