Risky online behaviour left 2 Ontario men facing extortion attempts, police say

WHITBY, Ont. – Police say two young Toronto-area men found themselves caught in an extortion trap after exposing themselves online.

Durham region police say a 21-year-old Whitby man was convinced by a woman he’d just met in an online chat room to take off his clothes and fondle himself on a webcam.

Moments later, the woman — who turned out to be a man — sent the victim a recording of his actions and threatened to post the graphic video unless a payment of 500 euros (C$690) was made.

The amount was paid, but when the young man received demands for even more money, he called police.

Investigators say an 18-year-old Clarington man had an identical experience on the same chat room site on Sunday, but no money was paid after a parent got involved and called police.

Police say an investigation is underway and no arrests have been made, but they’re warning people they could risk their financial well-being by engaging in risky online behaviour.