St. Albert RCMP is warning residents to be careful online after they received two reports of residents being convinced to share nude images of themselves with an online acquaintance.
The two reports detail how residents were convinced to share nude photos or videos of themselves through Facebook and Instagram.
The acquaintance, who was using a fake name and account, then threatened to share these images unless the two residents wired the acquaintance money.
The residents reported these incidents to the RCMP but the two cases lead to dead ends.
The RCMP is reminding residents that the best way to tackle this type of crime is prevention.
"Once images are released to someone online, there is no way to completely remove those images from the internet, so refusing to send nude images or videos is the only true way to protect yourself from this type of abuse,” said RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Laurel Kading.
The RCMP also recommends setting social networking profiles to private and to check security settings on the account.
Anyone with information about these or any other crimes is asked to contact St. Albert RCMP at 780-458-7700 or the Morinville RCMP at 780-939-4550. Anonymous tips can be provided to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or at www.tipsubmit.com.
