The Winnipeg Police Services have been investigating a sexual extortion case for the past six months and have found 10 victims to be affected by the alleged suspect's blackmailing efforts.

The WPS Financial Crime Unit began this investigation when a male in his 20s reported being the victim of sextortion.

The victim shared with officials that he shared intimate images of himself with an unknown individual online, who impersonated a young woman. Once the suspect received the pictures, he threatened to share the images online unless he was given money.

To avoid the images to spread, the victim e-transferred money to the perpetrator and never heard from him again.

In February this year, the Financial Crimes Unit identified three additional victims and charged a male suspect with Extortion x4.

Further investigation linked the accused to several similar crimes across Canada.

With the help of Cybertip.ca, the RCMP, the York Regional Police Service, the Hamilton Police Service and the Halton Police Service, six more male victims were identified within Manitoba, Alberta, Ontario, and Prince Edward Island.

Investigators believe these crimes may have international ties as money was transferred overseas.

On June 11, 21-year-old Tongun Justin Tongun from Winnipeg was charged with six additional counts of extortion (added to the aforementioned charges laid in February).

He was released on an Undertaking as mandated by the Criminal Code.

For those who don't know, "Sextortion" is a form of online blackmail that occurs when someone online threatens to distribute intimate/sexual images of a victim unless they pay the perpetrator. Victims are often teen males and young adults who believe they are communicating with a female online to facilitate a relationship or an intimate connection.

Almost immediately after receiving the images, the perpetrator threatens to distribute the victim's images online or send them to family, friends or colleagues. Feeling trapped, the victim fears the embarrassing outcome and agrees to send money to "pay off" the suspect.

According to Cybertip.ca (Canada's tipline for reporting online sexual abuse and exploitation of children), there have been more than 3,400 reports from children and young adults who have been targeted, victimized and sextorted while using online social media platforms over the past 12 months.

Here are tips on what to do if you or someone you know have been sexually extorted:

  • Screenshot the online communications & block or deactivate the account
  • Do not delete your account (for investigational purposes)
  • Do not pay money, do not send more money or more images
  • Stop payments, notify your financial institution, and make a police report online
  • Go to NeedHelpNow.ca if you have been exploited online or your intimate images have been shared.
    • There is help removing the images if uploaded or shared online
    • There is emotional support available
  • Report to Cybertip.ca
  • Make a police report online to the Winnipeg Police Service