REGINA - Regina Police Service is making people aware of a particularly troubling phone scam making the rounds in the city.
In the past week Regina Police say they have received reports from victims who say they have received threats online.
According to police, the scenario plays out as follows: the victim receives a text on their phone; the sender identifies himself as being president of an Escort company and accuses the victim of having used the services of an escort without paying; the sender then demands payment and says that if the victim fails to pay, the life of the victim and the victim’s family are in danger; then, over the next several texts, the sender attaches graphic images depicting victims of violent assaults and homicide, and images or video of armed and masked men.
Regina Police Service says there are investigating the reports received so far, and note the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre confirms similar reports made across Canada.
In a news release, Regina Police Service is reminding the public “to be calm and objective when reading or hearing unsolicited messages.
“Perpetrators always try to create urgency, anxiety and even fear in their victims, no matter what type of scam it is. Assess the information contained in the call or message; do not add your personal information when someone asks for, or demands, it. Do not make payment. Make a report with your local police service if you have concerns for your safety, if you feel you have been a victim of a scam, or if you have suffered a financial loss as the result of a scam. You can also contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre here for general information about scams and frauds.”
