Robbery Detectives have been seeing a significant increase in extortion reports. They typically involve a male victim meeting an unknown suspect on a social media site or a dating app. The suspect pretends to be a female and may even send explicit photos to the victim. The victim then replies with photos of himself to the suspect. The suspect then threatens to distribute the photos of the victim to his friends and family and demands money, usually in the form of untraceable gift cards. Some victims send the money prior to reporting it to the police.
Please be aware this is a growing trend happing throughout central Ohio and be cautious when communicating with unknown people online and through apps.
Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward for any information leading to the arrest and/or indictment of the person(s) responsible for this crime. Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 614-461-TIPS (8477) or go to our website at www.stopcrime.org and submit your tip. You may also submit a tip by downloading our new free P3 Tips mobile app available on the iOS and Android platforms. We are no longer taking tips via text message.
All tips to Crime Stoppers are anonymous. Crime Stoppers does not use Caller ID or record telephone conversations. A special coding system protects the identity of the caller. Crime Stoppers also takes calls from persons with information about any felony. Information leading to the arrest and/or indictment of a felony suspect could qualify the caller for a reward as determined by the Crime Stoppers Board of Directors. For more information on Central Ohio Crime Stoppers, visit our website at www.stopcrime.org.
Crime Stoppers is a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization. Reward money comes from private individuals, businesses, and foundations that see Crime Stoppers as an integral tool in the community’s fight against crime. Tax-deductible donations can be sent to Central Ohio Crime Stopper’s, Inc., and P.O. BOX 16038, COLUMBUS, OH 43216-6038.
Watch for the depiction of each “Crime of the Week” during newscasts on WCMH NBC 4, Sunday morning 7a.m., 9 a.m. and at 6 p.m., as well as Monday 11 a.m. Also watch for the depiction to be aired on WBNS 10TV, WSYX ABC 6, WTTE FOX 28, and featured in The Columbus Dispatch every Monday.
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