EDMONTON – The Edmonton Police Service Cyber Crime Investigations Unit has laid six charges against an Ontario man and woman in an extortion investigation.
In February 2019, it was reported that an Edmonton man was receiving threatening text messages from an unknown third party through a texting app. The messages demanded money and threatened the man’s life if he didn’t pay. The messages also included photos of a firearm and indicated that the anonymous sender knew the man’s home address.
After a thorough investigation, the EPS Cyber Crime Investigations Unit traced the messages to two individuals located in Ontario.
On March 19, 2019, EPS Cyber Crime members, with assistance from the Hamilton Police Service, executed a search warrant at an address in Ancaster, Ontario.
Saurel Brutus, 28, and Carolane Dussault, 26, were both arrested and charged with one count each of extortion with a firearm, fraud under $5000, and unauthorized use of a computer.
“Criminals think the distance and perceived anonymity of this type of crime will protect them, but despite their attempts to use technology to mask their location, we are still able to identify them and lay charges,” says Det. Philip Hawkins with Cyber Crime Investigations Unit.
“This is a borderless crime, and investigators are working together across jurisdictions to lay charges wherever appropriate,” adds Const. Dana Gehring with the Cyber Crime Investigations Unit. “We would like to thank the Hamilton Police Service for their assistance with this investigation.”
EPS Cyber Crime Investigations Unit was formalized in 2015 and has grown from two to eight members. This is the second time in the unit’s history that members have gone to another province to effect an arrest.
Anyone with any information about this or any other crime is asked to contact the EPS at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone. Anonymous information can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.p3tips.com/250.
