Haliburton Highlands OPP is warning of an extortion scam happening in the area.
Police say suspects will use fake profiles on social media and dating sites to engage victims in conversation. Victims are then asked to send explicit photos of themselves, or engage in sexual activities, which are secretly recorded by the suspect.
The suspect then threatens to distribute the explicit materials to friends, family, and co-workers, if the victim does not give them a sum of money.
Police say the best way to prevent this is to not add unknown people on social media, which could give them access to your personal information.
Officials encourage people victimized by this type of scam to report the incident to police at 1-888-310-1122, and the Canadian Anti Fraud Centre’s website.