
If you have a nude picture or two of yourself, Kamloops RCMP say to keep it to yourself.
Monday morning, the RCMP warned people about the dangers of sending nudes, following at least six ‘sextortion’ reports in the last month alone.
While there is no evidence to suggest these incidents are related, RCMP Const. Crystal Evelyn says the adults and young people who shared intimate photos online were then being blackmailed for money to prevent the photos from being distributed.
“In many of these cases, the fraudster will make contact with the victim via social media and convince them to send a sexual image or perform a sexual act they may be secretly recording,” RCMP Const. Phil Whiles, the Kamloops RCMP Sex Crimes Investigator, said, in a statement.
“The fraudster then threatens to send the content to others unless the victim sends them money or more content.”
Whiles says some of these reports involve teenagers, adding police want adults to talk to their kids about the dangers of sextortion and the potential consequences of their behaviour online.
“We understand it may be uncomfortable for some adults to discuss with their teenagers, but it’s an important discussion to have in order to help prevent the discomfort and fear that can follow after the images have already been sent,” Whiles added.
“If it does happen, they need to know they can go to a safe, trusted adult to report.”
The RCMP put out some tips to help prevent sextortion.
Keep yourself safe online:
- Think before you post – information is instant, public, and permanent;
- Do not accept friend requests on social media from unknown people;
- Do not share or send intimate images of yourself with anyone – if you aren’t okay with the whole world seeing it, do not send it;
- Use privacy settings on social media and keep personal information to a minimum;
- Trust your instincts, if anything about an interaction makes you feel uncomfortable, end the conversation immediately.
Parents:
- Be open about online behaviour, place computers in busy family areas;
- Make online activity part of your regular conversations
- Encourage your teen to take breaks away from devices;
- Work with your children on how to behave safely online from a young age;
What to do if you are victim:
- Stop communicating with the person immediately;
- Do not comply with the threat, do not send money or additional images, doing so will not fix the
Resources and additional information on ways to keep your teens safe online can be found by visiting www.needhelpnow.ca or www.cybertip.ca.