A failed scheme to extort a Norfolk County man out of $25,000 has prompted provincial police to issue a reminder to be mindful of what you do while on a webcam.
The man was video chatting on Skype with a woman he believed to be a friend when he engaged in sexually explicit acts. Soon after he was told the acts were recorded and threatened that if he did not pay $25,000 the video would be distributed to his family and social media contacts. He did not send the money and instead reported the attempted blackmail to Norfolk OPP on Tuesday morning.
Police have not said whether the extortionist has been arrested. However, they are advising the public of the need to be more careful online, especially during the pandemic when physical distancing rules are forcing more people to connect through video chats.
In an online chat, screens only let a user see what the other person wants them to see and there is always a risk someone will record and save the interaction, police said.
"Police are urging all computer users to be aware of the dangers of engaging in online web chats where explicit conversations and photographs are shared," OPP Inspector Joseph Varga said in a statement. "Once it's out there, you can't get it back."
Police are asking anyone with information about the extortion attempt to call them at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
