Authorities in northwestern Ontario have pressed charges of sextortion against a Nigerian following an investigation that began in December 2022.
According to the Northern Ontario CTV news on Thursday, the Ontario Provincial Police provided limited information about the incident, describing it as a “youth-related sextortion scam.”
According to the OPP, the case was cracked with the collaborative efforts of local members, Elgin County OPP, the OPP regional intelligence unit, and the Canada Border Services Agency, which helped identify the initial beneficiary of the scam.
The 21-year-old man at the center of the case was apprehended by the OPP in Ottawa based on a warrant issued by the Atikokan OPP.
OPP Constable Jason Lortie, in an email statement, revealed that the suspect was residing in the area and voluntarily surrendered to the authorities after becoming aware of the media coverage surrounding the case.
Lortie acknowledged the role of the media, stating, “The media can give themselves a pat on the back here. The accused became aware of the initial media release and did the right thing by turning himself in to the Ottawa OPP. The matter is now before the courts.”
The accused faces one charge of possessing property obtained by crime under $5,000. He has been released by the police and is scheduled to appear at the Atikokan Ontario Court of Justice on November 30.
The OPP encouraged anyone who has fallen victim to a similar scam to contact the police for support. They emphasized that it is possible to identify and prosecute individuals involved, offering assistance to those facing the challenging aftermath of such incidents.
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