More Sask. teens being targeted by sextortion scams, RCMP says

The Saskatchewan RCMP says its investigators have seen a significant rise in reports of financially-motivated online sextortion scams targeting youth between the ages of 13 and 16.

The Saskatchewan RCMP says its investigators have seen a significant rise in reports of financially-motivated online sextortion scams targeting youth between the ages of 13 and 16.

“In the reported cases, victims were approached by individuals who identified as females of a similar age online or through aps targeting teenage audiences,” RCMP said in a news release.

“Once initial contact was made, the victims were asked for their Instagram username and to exchange intimate photos. The photos were then used as blackmail in exchange for financial gain.”

No charges have yet been laid related to the reports and the investigations are ongoing, RCMP says.

Cases of online child sexual exploitation are on the rise across the country, according to Statistics Canada.

“The rate of police-reported incidents of online child sexual exploitation has more than doubled since the tracking of cybercrime began in 2014,” RCMP said.

“In the 2022-2023 fiscal year, the Saskatchewan RCMP’s internet child exploitation unit responded to 931 cases. In 2023-2024 that number is expected to surpass 1,000.”