Strathcona County RCMP investigates 32 sextortion complaints

Between September 16 and October 8, 2024, The Strathcona County RCMP General Investigation Section (GIS) completed an investigation into 32 sextortion occurrences.

In each of these cases, the suspects claimed to know that the victim was viewing pornographic websites on the internet and sent an email to the victims demanding they pay $2,000. in Bitcoin or the suspects would release photos of the victim watching pornography to their contacts. Police completed email production orders and it was learned that the suspects are sending the extortion emails from Armenia, Palestine, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea and Libya. Police are not able to extradite and prosecute the suspects from these countries for reasons including: dollar value of the crime, level of the crime type ie: summary conviction vs indictable offence, and the cost to Canada.

Strathcona RCMP would like to remind the public to be careful of their web browsing. If you receive an extortion email do not pay the extortion money. Paying the extortion demand will not improve your situation. The suspects will continue the extortion.

Your Strathcona County RCMP are committed to keeping our community safe. If you have information regarding any illegal activity within the Strathcona County detachment area, please contact Strathcona County RCMP at 780-467-7741. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store. To report crime online, or for access to RCMP news and information, download the Alberta RCMP app through Apple or Google Play.

Cst. Cheri-Lee Smith
Strathcona County RCMP