Beware of ‘sextortion’ scams
Police are reminding the public to be aware of so-called “sextortion” scams and to carefully consider the risk of sharing intimate images online.
The Guelph Police Service has investigated more than a dozen such scams this year, including several resulting in financial losses between $200 and $1,500.
Typically, victims are contacted via social media and begin interacting with the scammers. These interactions eventually result in the victim sharing intimate photos or videos of themselves, which the scammer then threatens to publish or send to the victim’s contacts if they do not send more photos or pay a sum of money.
In one recent case, a Guelph male began chatting via social media with someone he believed to be a female. After sending the unknown user several explicit photos, the suspect created a group chat involving several of the victim’s friends and family and threatened to release the images.
The 21-year-old victim panicked and sent $1,200 via three separate e-transfers to an address in the Philippines, after which the scammer de-activated their social media account.
Such scams are nearly impossible for police to investigate, as they involve anonymous users based in foreign countries. It is believed many of these scams are not reported to police as the victims are too embarrassed.
Residents should be extremely vigilant when sharing personal information or images online, and be aware that once such information or images are shared they cannot be taken back.
Police offer these tips for residents to protect themselves:
- Change your settings to limit who sees your posts by restricting access to only your friends.
- Don’t post your full name, address, phone number or any kind of financial information online.
- Assume anything you post could be seen or shared by others – if you’re not comfortable sharing it, don’t post it.
- Before posting photos it is important to know that they can be downloaded, altered and edited by anyone.
- Everything you post on the internet (text, images and videos) can be captured by others and/or by search engines. Even once you delete it, your posts can still be available online.
Business windows smashed
The Guelph Police Service is investigating after a local business had both of its glass doors smashed Thursday evening.
Police were called just before 10 p.m. to a business in the area of Alma Street North and Crimea Street. Video surveillance showed a male approaching the business approximately 9:05 p.m. He looked around then removed some kind of tool from his pocket and smashed both glass doors. There was no attempt to gain entry.
The male, who was wearing a black sweater with the hood up, jeans and black shoes, was last seen on foot southbound on Alma Street North.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Constable Nicholas Doner at 519-824-1212, ext. 7230, email him at [email protected], leave an anonymous message for Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or leave an anonymous tip online at www.csgw.tips.
Driver causes more than $1,000 in damage to avoid $4 fee
The Guelph Police Service is investigating after a driver caused more than $1,000 in damage at a local business Wednesday to avoid a $4 parking fee.
Police were called Thursday to a business in the area of Dawson Road and Speedvale Avenue West. A day earlier, a pickup truck had driven across a lawn to get around the parking control arms and avoid the $4 fee.
Officers observed fresh tire marks in the grass. The complainant noted the last time something similar had happened it cost more than $1,200 in landscaping fees to repair the damage.
The investigation is ongoing. If identified the driver could face criminal charges of mischief under $5,000 and fraud under $5,000.
Total calls for service in the last 24 hours – 238
