Fort St John RCMP have recently learned from the BC Integrated Child Exploitation unit (BC ICE) that several teens in that city may have been victims of extortion where they provided intimate photos of themselves to a person posing as a friend online.
At this time investigators believe that there may be more victims that have not yet come forward. Parents are asked to speak with their school age children to find out if they have either recently shared intimate photos with someone on the internet, though their personal cell phones, or if they have been approached to do so, and if so, to contact the police. Investigative efforts to identify the person responsible are continuing.
“We can never be too internet safe,” said Sgt. Dave Tyreman, in a news release. “As parents, we need to always know what our children are doing on all of their electronic devices. We would encourage all parents to speak to their children about these incidents to help educate them about the dangers of sharing photos online.”
Police want everyone to know that possession or circulation by anyone, of intimate pictures of anyone under the age of eighteen is considered a criminal offence related to child pornography, criminal harassment or even luring a child.
For more information and safety tips regarding sextortion please visit the BC RCMP website at:
http://bc.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/ViewPage.action?siteNodeId=2077&languageId=1&contentId=49277.
If you have any recent information regarding these incidents please contact the Fort St John RCMP at 250-787-8100.
