OPP warns about new 'violent extortion message' sent via email
Scammers are getting craftier, and police are working to keep residents one step ahead.
Members of the Southern Georgian Bay OPP and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) are sounding the alarm on a rising number of online and phone scams targeting residents.
- Download the CTV News app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates sent to your email inbox
Provincial police say the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre has received reports of scams involving extortion letters sent via email that contain personal information, including the recipient's name, phone number and address.
"The extortion letter claims that the recipient has visited explicit websites and threatens to send a copy of a video to the recipient's contact list unless payment via cryptocurrency is made," the OPP stated in a Thursday release.
Police say in some cases, the emails include a QR code.
The OPP provided one example of an extortion letter that reads in part, "Well, you've been careless lately, scrolling through those videos and venturing into the darker contents of cyberspace."
It continues, "Been keeping tabs on your pathetic life for a while now. It is simply your misfortune that I stumbled across your bad deeds... With simply a single click, I can send this filth to every single [one] of your contacts."
The email requests an amount to be paid to remain silent, and towards the end, reads, "Let me tell ya, it's peanuts for your peace."
The letter then tells the recipient they have one day to "sort this out" in Bitcoins, and makes threats if the email is shared with anyone.
It concludes, "And don't even think about turning off your phone or resetting it to factory settings. It's pointless. I don't make mistakes."
Provincial police say those targeted by these extortion attempts never visited the websites mentioned in the emails.
"Fraudsters are attempting to scare victims into sending funds," the authorities stated.
They urge the public to report a threatening message to the police immediately.
Provincial police also warn recipients of suspicious emails to never open links or scan QR codes from unknown sources.
They say fraudsters rely on high-pressure tactics and intimidation, hoping to catch victims off guard.
Police encourage anyone who received a similar "violent extortion message" to report it to local authorities and follow up with a report to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
India's 'most wanted terrorist' arrested on gun charges in Canada
One of India's most wanted terrorists has been arrested and charged in connection with a recent alleged shooting in Ontario.
12-year-old boy charged in stabbing of 11-year-old boy at Edmonton McDonald's
The boy stabbed at a north Edmonton McDonald's last Friday is 11 years old.
What makes walking so great for your health and what else you need to do
Medical experts agree that walking is an easy way to improve physical and mental health, bolster fitness and prevent disease. While it’s not the only sort of exercise people should do, it’s a great first step toward a healthy life.
U.S. Congress hosts second round of UFO hearings
The U.S. government held another UFO hearing on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, the second such hearing in 16 months. This hearing was billed as an attempt by congress to provide a better understanding of what is known about previous sightings of UFOs, also known as UAPs (Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena).
Toronto teenager charged with first-degree murder in Kitchener, Ont. homicide
A Toronto teen has been charged as part of an investigation into Kitchener, Ont.’s first homicide of 2024.
Spy service officer denies threatening Montreal man who was later imprisoned in Sudan
A Canadian Security Intelligence Service official has denied threatening a Montreal man who was later imprisoned and allegedly tortured by authorities in Sudan.
Donald Trump picks Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz to serve as attorney general
President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday said he will nominate Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida to serve as his attorney general, putting a loyalist in the role of the nation's top prosecutor.
This Canadian airline will adopt Apple's new AirTag feature to help recover lost baggage. Here's how
Apple announced that a new feature, 'Share Item Location,' will help users locate and recover misplaced items by sharing an AirTag location with third parties including airlines.
Canada bracing for 'tough' talks as Trump's pick calls northern border an 'extreme vulnerability'
The Canadian government is aware it's likely in for 'tough conversations' with U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's administration, after his border czar said there is 'an extreme national security vulnerability' he intends to tackle at the Canada-U.S. border.