NORFOLK COUNTY, ON – The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Norfolk County Detachment are investigating an incident that was reported from a Simcoe, Norfolk County, Ontario address. The OPP report that on Tuesday, February 20, 2018, at approximately 11:29 a.m., police were contacted by a concerned male reporting an extortion.
Through their investigation, it was determined that the male met a female online and both began to correspond. During the course of conversing, the female asked for explicit photographs of the male which he apparently sent. Then a demand for money was then made by the female in order for the photographs not to be distributed.
“Police are urging all computer users to be aware of the dangers of engaging in online web chats where explicit conversations and photographs are shared. Once it’s out there, you can’t get it back,” states Constable Ed Sanchuk, Norfolk County OPP.
Police are warning all computer users to beware. “We live in a connected world where it’s easy to feel as if our far-away friends are right next door. Having a face-to-face conversation with someone is gaining in popularity and everyone needs to be vigilant when engaging in online video chats.
“Video chatting allows you to see and hear whom you’re talking to. All you need is a webcam and a computer with an Internet connection. You log into your IM or social network and enable the video chatting. You can’t be anonymous with video chatting.
“The fact that your face is right there for all to see, but it’s not just your face that’s on show. Anything else can be, too. That means that some behavior — and some body parts — that you don’t want to exhibit could end up on display.”
There continue to be many people who seemingly ignore these simple facts about using their computers.
The OPP add, “The screen only lets you see what the other person wants you to see. Another danger is that anyone can take a live video. This means that they can permanently have a video of you”.
Anyone with information regarding this incident or any similar should immediately contact the Ontario Provincial Police at 1 – 888 – 310 – 1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1 – 800 – 222 – 8477 (TIPS) or leave an anonymous online message at www.helpsolvecrime.com where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2000.
