The internet is a very useful tool, but it can be a dangerous place as well.
Wellington County OPP have received a number of calls recently over blackmail incidents involving the sharing of intimate photos across social media platforms.
Constable Marylou Schwindt says a recent case involved a male party sending photos over Facebook.
"It led to her asking him for photos of himself that were intimate photos which he then sent over. She exchanged some as well but then obviously said 'If you don't send me some money, I'll send these to your family and friends and post them on social media,'" she says.
Constable Schwindt says this happens with males approaching females and vice versa. She notes that guilty parties can face some sort of extortion charges, but it's often hard to track down the offender, and so the best advice is to never share intimate photos online, and know who you're speaking with.
"Yeah I mean number one, don't send the photos, don't put yourself in that position and really think about anything you send over the internet because once you've done that you've lost control," says Schwindt. "Also, know who you're speaking with. I get it, you know, people are vulnerable, people are lonely, and you know there can be some easy targets out there, and you just really have to know who you're speaking with over the internet."
