Extortion in Norfolk County

Tuesday, 19 November 2019 09:51

A Norfolk man is currently being extorted for cash after he was convinced to expose himself in a video chat with a woman he had met online on Sunday night.

NORFOLK COUNTY - The OPP are once again reminding the public to be cautious about what you are putting online.

A Norfolk man is currently being extorted for cash after he was convinced to expose himself in a video chat with a woman he had met online on Sunday night. The woman was using him and threatened to share the images and the video with all of his family and social media contacts, unless he paid her off. The woman asked for $4,500, no funds were sent and the victim called police.

Police are warning all computer users to beware. We live in a connected world where it's easy to feel as if our far-away friends are right next door. Having a face-to-face conversation with someone is gaining in popularity and everyone needs to be vigilant when engaging in on-line video chats.

Video chatting allows you to see and hear whom you're talking to. All you need is a webcam and a computer with an Internet connection. You log into your social network and enable the video chatting. You can't be anonymous with video chatting.

Video chatting allows you to see and hear whom you're talking to. All you need is a webcam and a computer with an Internet connection.

The fact that your face is right there for all to see, but it's not just your face that's on show. Anything else can be, too. That means that some behaviour -- and some body parts that you don't want to exhibit could end up on display. The screen only lets you see what the other person wants you to see. Another danger is that anyone can take a live video. Inspector and Detachment Commander for the Norfolk County OPP Joseph Varga says this means that they can permanently have a video of you.

"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. Once it's out there, you can't get it back."

Anyone with information regarding this incident should immediately contact the Ontario Provincial Police at 1 - 888 - 310 - 1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1 - 800 - 222 - 8477 (TIPS) or leave an anonymous online message at www.helpsolvecrime.com where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2000.