Toronto police are warning residents in the Greater Toronto Area about a growing scam aimed at extorting money through calls and text messages containing “violent and graphic images.”
Police said residents were receiving phone calls or text messages from U.S. phone numbers with the 470 and 404 area codes.
“Graphic and violent images are then sent via text message to the victim,” police said in a statement Monday.
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Investigators added that the scammer is asking for money. If the money is not paid, the sender alleges violence against the victim, police said.
“We would like to inform the public that this is a known scam aimed at extorting money from the recipient,” police said in their warning.
Police have asked anyone who receives these messages or phone calls to report it to police immediately and not pay any money.
Police said reports of scams were becoming more frequent.