Maidstone young men and teenage boys are falling victim to catfishing scams says Maidstone RCMP.
In the last quarter of 2022, police received multiple reports of people being victimized in sexting scams. The scammer entices the victim to send nude pictures of themselves. The scammer then demands payment and advises the victim that if they do not pay, the photos will be released to the victim’s contacts.
Maidstone RCMP is warning the public of the risks of sending private or sensitive images online as the actual recipient may not always be the only one who will receive or view this content. Also, it is important to remain vigilant when receiving unsolicited text messages. Never provide personal or sensitive information. Do not send money to the requestor, even if the message sounds urgent.
If residents believe they may be a victim of fraud or if they have been contacted by a scammer they may report it online to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre — even if money was not sent. As well residents may call 1-888-495-8501.