Sask. RCMP says ‘sextortion’ cases on the rise among youths

The Saskatchewan RCMP says there has been an increase in “sextortion” cases targeting young people in the province.

According to the Mounties, financial “sextortion” is a kind of blackmail that involves someone threatening to send a sexual image or video of the victim to other people if they’re not paid.

In a release, the RCMP said it opened an investigation after receiving multiple reports of a scam targeting youths of all genders between the ages of 13 and 16 in the province.

“In the reported cases, victims were approached by individuals who identified as females of a similar age online or through apps targeting teenage audiences,” the RCMP said in a release.

“Once initial contact was made, the victims were asked for their Instagram username and to exchange intimate photos. The photos were then used as blackmail in exchange for financial gain.”

(RCMP/Submitted)

The Mounties said their Violent Crime Linkage Analysis Section (ViCLAS) and Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit are leading the investigation because the victims are underage. No one has been charged as of yet.

In the 2022-23 fiscal year, the RCMP said, the ICE unit responded to 931 cases. In 2023-24, that number is expected to surpass 1,000.

Parents are encouraged to talk to their children about their online activities. Kids were reminded not to answer messages or friend/follow requests from people they don’t know, not to send photos of any kind to people they don’t know, and always answer video calls with the camera turned off until they know who’s calling.

Anyone who has been targeted should report it to their local police or online via cybertip.ca, immediately stop all communication with the suspect, ensure that they and/or their child don’t comply with the threat, and keep any correspondence between them or their child and the suspect.

“What we want victims of any age to know is that they are not to blame, they will not get in trouble for reporting it, and most importantly there is life after something like this happens” Staff Sgt. Scott Lambie of the Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes Branch said in the release.

“There are people and resources available to help you and there are tools that exist to remove the images online. If you feel comfortable, reach out to your local police detachment or get more information at Cybertip.ca – and remember, you are not alone.”