Merritt RCMP are warning people about an uptick in prostitution extortion scams over the past few weeks.

In a statement, RCMP say scammers have been texting and calling random victims accusing them of trying to hire prostitutes and demanding large sums of money from them.

They say these scammers have been threatening that the “cartel” will kill the victims if they do not comply, and that in some cases people have been sent photographs of firearms and severed human body parts via text message.

In all reports, police say the scammers did not know the names or locations of their victims, and that is was “clearly a random act” to get money from them.

“We want to urge the public to immediately block the phone number if an incident like this happens to you,” RCMP Const. Ed Query, said.

“Please do not send money in any form, whether that be Electronic Money Transfer (EMT), gift cards, cheques, or money orders. If you ever feel you need to send money to clear a debt or avoid arrest, please call your local police and seek clarification first.”

Police say if you believe you have fallen victim to a scammer, to report it to the Merritt RCMP at 250-378-4262.