Sextortion cases involving both adults and youth have soared in Winnipeg, say police, who are using April, the nationally recognized Sexual Assault Awareness Month, to shed light on the crime.

The Winnipeg Police Service had 19 extortion reports in 2020. In 2025, the number was 223. Although the cases are recorded as extortion, most, if not all, involve sextortion, said Const. Stephen Spencer.

“These numbers are quite concerning,” he said, noting the number of reports received has grown annually from 31 in 2021, climbing to 56 in 2022, 165 and 2023 and 213 in 2024.

Sextortion is a form of online sexual exploitation in which intimate images are used to control, coerce and extort victims through the threat of sharing them publicly, said Spencer.

Those committing the crime often demand money, gift cards, or even more images from the victims.

“It can occur between strangers, where a perpetrator uses a fake online identity to build trust before making demands, or within existing relationships, where intimate images are used as a tool of control,” Spencer said.

“Victims are frequently too ashamed or afraid to come forward, and many are unaware that legal protections and supports exist. Perpetrators rely on that silence, which is exactly why the WPS is speaking up.”

Det. Craig Holloway, who is with the police service’s internet child exploitation unit, said there are large international criminal organizations that target kids online. They also create manuals for others on how to do it.

Police are also seeing more cases involving fake nudes created through AI, he said, but he did not have data on those reports.

Awareness campaign

Throughout the month, Winnipeg police will share messaging, information and tips about image-based abuse and the online luring of youth through platforms such as Snapchat, Instagram and Discord, Spencer said.

It will include the legal consequences for youth and parents when nude images of minors are shared, how sextortion schemes work and what victims can do.

Holloway urged parents to make an effort to know what their children are doing online and the platforms they use, whether for gaming or social media.

If they don’t know who their children are communicating with, parents should find out, he said.

Making and sharing intimate images of anyone under the age of 18 is considered child sexual abuse and exploitation material under Canadian law, even if the images were shared with consent and even if both parties are under 18, police said.

The owners of the electronic device and account holders can face criminal charges even if they aren’t the ones involved, but their device was used.

Anyone who believes they are a sextortion victim, or with information about someone who is, should contact the Winnipeg Police Service at 204-986-6222, or report it through Cybertip.ca.

Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 204-786-8477 or online.

Survivors of sexual assault can find resources through the Winnipeg Police Service’s victim services at 204-986-6350 or the Klinic sexual assault crisis line at 204-786-8631.