According to the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT), sextortion is still a “common” crime in Calgary.
Sextortion is a form of online extortion where criminals trick young people into obtaining explicit images through various digital platforms such as Snapchat and Instagram.
Victims are then threatened and blackmailed for money or more material.
The Organized and Serious Crime Task Force said more than 100 youth in southern Alberta have been victimized by sextortion scams since March.
“Our unit has handled more than 100 cases, but the sad reality is that we know the numbers are much higher,” said Det. Steve Brighton of ALERT’s Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit said.
“There are children out there who have become victims, but are also too afraid or ashamed to seek help and resources.”
ALERT said an arrest was made overseas earlier this year.
“ICE’s international partnership was valuable in the arrest of an Australian offender who extorted $1,000 from a Calgary youth. ICE’s investigation located the recipient of the proceeds of crime and an arrest was made in September 2022,” ALERT said in a news release Thursday.
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‘It’s an epidemic’: Sex harassment and online crimes against youth are increasing dramatically
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‘It’s an epidemic’: Sex harassment and online crimes against youth are increasing dramatically
ALERT said most offenses take place over social media apps and two-thirds of cases target boys aged between nine and 17.
Police said the suspect will introduce themselves as a girl from a nearby community and/or school, or as a social media acquaintance, trying to befriend their intended victim.
After creating the appearance of a promising online relationship, the suspect will usually send a sexually explicit image and demand one in return.
The photo or video sent in return will be used as a form of blackmail, with the suspect often saying they will release the image to friends, family or the internet in general unless money is sent.
Payments are usually made in the form of bank information, credit card numbers, e-transfers or gift cards.
“ICE units worldwide are working together to investigate, but we really need help raising further awareness and making sure these conversations happen in homes and schools,” said Det. Dean Jacobs said.
“It’s heartbreaking to see firsthand the devastating impact these types of offenses have on children, and our colleagues in the US have linked sexting to more than a dozen suicides.”
In Canada, one of the most famous cases of sex dumping was the extortion and threats that led to the death of BC teenager Amanda Todd a decade ago.
Just weeks before her death, she created a YouTube video where she silently held up cards documenting the torment she suffered from the ages of 12 to 15 and its effects on her life.
The video went viral and became a symbol in the fight against online harassment.
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Judge sentences BC teenager Amanda Todd’s online tormentor to 13 years in prison
In October of this year, a BC Supreme Court judge sentenced the Dutch man convicted of harassing and extorting the girl to 13 years in prison – more than prosecutors had asked for.
Last month, an Oregon District Judge ruled that a 41-year-old man will remain behind bars until his trial in connection with the exploitation, kidnapping and sexual assault of a 13-year-old Edmonton girl.
ALERT said arrests appear to be challenging in these crimes, as many of the suspects are believed to be operating overseas, in an organized manner similar to phone scams.
ICE offers the following tips to anyone experiencing sextortion:
- Stop all communication immediately
- Do not follow through on the threat
- Report it online to the social media service
- Reach out to a trusted adult for help
- Keep the correspondence by downloading account information from the social media platform or taking screenshots
- Contact the local police, as digital evidence can often be deleted
ALERT also advises to be careful when talking to new people online, especially unsolicited friends or following requests from people you don’t know, sudden sexualized questions or conversation, receiving a direct message asking to move the conversation to a move other app, or require a webcam / microphone not working for calls and/or chats.
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Adults can also play an important role in prevention, as studies show that one in three victims of sextortion do not tell anyone because of embarrassment or shame.
Police advise adults to talk about online safety, privacy, establishing boundaries, what a healthy relationship looks like and consent.
Adults can also help children take advantage of privacy options and teach children not to give in to pressure if they feel threatened or uncomfortable.
Communicating that it is not a child’s fault if someone makes them uncomfortable can also help.
ALERT has created an online resource about sex dumping, as has the Canadian Center for Child Protection.
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