Sarnia Police arrested and charged a 24-year-old Toronto woman with extortion this week.
The incident occurred following an investigation involving a woman extorting a male Sarnia resident, police said in a news release.
“The victim and accused initially met via her online advertisement for sexual services,” police stated. “They subsequently engaged in a personal arrangement, which, over time, the accused obtained intimate images and personal information of the victim.
“The accused then threatened to distribute the images online (to friends and family), unless monetary payments were received,” police added. “This extortion carried on for an extended period, until the victim sought the assistance of the Sarnia Police Service.”
On Jan. 15, 2024, the accused demanded a large sum of money from the victim and travelled to Sarnia to collect it.
“Upon her arrival at the payment location, she was arrested by members of the Sarnia Police Service without incident,” police added.
The woman was held for a bail hearing and charged with extortion, and four counts of failure to comply with recognizance.
At the time of the arrest, the accused was already subject to a Recognizance of Bail for serious offences alleged to have been committed in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). These GTA charges include:
- Attempting to Commit Murder
- Discharging a Firearm with Intent
- Possession of Prohibited or Restricted Firearm with Ammunition
- Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm
- Firearm – Tampering with a Serial Number
- Breach of Recognizance
“The SPS investigators have not ruled out the possibility that other victims may exist,” police said. "Sextortion is a form of blackmail involving payment to prevent the release of explicit videos or images. It can happen to anyone, including children.”
If you are or know a victim of sextortion, call the Sarnia Police Service at 519-344-8861. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
“Crime today is not constrained by municipal boundaries,” said Chief Derek Davis. “Our city is impacted by criminal elements both within and outside of our community, across a spectrum of offences.
“The SPS enjoys excellent relationships with our partner law enforcement agencies that include lawful sharing of information and joint investigations.”
Additional resources are available online for those who may be victims of similar crimes:
https://www.cybertip.ca/en/online-harms/sextortion/
https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/news/2023/sextortion-a-scam-trending-can-make-stop
https://protectchildren.ca/en/programs-and-initiatives/dont-get-sextorted/