PEI RCMP warn of attempted sextortion targeting teen boys

Three reports of attempted sextortion targeting teen boys across PEI were reported to PEI RCMP this past weekend.  Police say the boys were targeted online on social media platforms where strangers pose as age-appropriate girls asking for sexual photo swaps; they then threaten to show these photos to the victims’ friends and family if the boys don’t pay. They can even ask for a picture of the teen’s room, and they will superimpose an image into that bedroom and try to extort the teen.  Over the past year, there were 30 reported sextortion cases in PEI RCMP jurisdiction. Police believe this crime is highly underreported, and the number of cases could be much higher.  Families can protect themselves by not accepting social media friend requests from strangers; avoid sharing intimate images and videos online; and ensure that your social media settings are as private as possible and turn off location-based services.