Red Deer RCMP warn public against online sextortion

Red Deer RCMP have issued a public warning about the rise in online sexual extortion incidents.

Sextortion involves a criminal coercing victims into sending sexually explicit images or videos before demanding payment under the threat of posting the images or videos online.

Police said sexual blackmail often begins innocently, with the criminal befriending their victims online through dating sites, dating apps or gaming platforms.

Sexual blackmail can affect anyone, but police said young people were more at risk.

Alberta RCMP’s Const. “Sextortion is a serious crime fueled by fear and shame,” Cory Riggs said in a news release Friday.

“We want everyone to know that help is available and victims should never be afraid to come forward. Our priority is your safety.”

Police explained how people can avoid becoming victims:

• Verifying who you are connecting with – be wary of strangers wanting to quickly move conversations to a private platform or sound too good to be true;
• be careful about sharing personal information; do not post sexually explicit images or sensitive information about yourself;
• keeping social media accounts private – limit what people can find out about you online and learn your way around privacy settings;
• Avoid interaction – if someone starts demanding payment, block and report them immediately; And
• talking to someone you trust – young people should talk to their parents or trusted adults about online safety.

If you think you are at risk of sexual blackmail, police recommend:

• failure to comply with their demands – paying or sending money will not stop the criminal;
• Recording evidence – taking screenshots or messages, profiles and other relevant information; And
• contacting the authorities – unreported sextortion cases will not be investigated.

Red Deer police are urging anyone who believes they are a victim of extortion to contact them at 403-406-2200.

To report anonymously, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or P3Tips online tool.