The Saskatchewan Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit is urging parents and youth to learn about the dangers of online sextortion following a growing number of reports across the province.
Police say sextortion often begins on chat-based social media platforms, where offenders pose as young people to gain the trust of their victims. Teenage boys are frequently targeted. After building a relationship, offenders persuade victims to share intimate images.
Once images are sent, offenders threaten to share them with the victim’s family and friends unless money is paid.
The Saskatchewan ICE Unit received more than 20 reports of sextortion involving child victims in September 2026 alone. Investigators believe the true number is much higher, as many incidents go unreported.
Police say many suspects operate from outside Canada, making them difficult to identify and prosecute.
Parents are encouraged to have age-appropriate discussions with their children about online safety, privacy, and what to do if they encounter situations that make them uncomfortable online.
The ICE Unit is also reminding young people that if they become victims of sextortion, they should not send money, should stop communicating with the offender, and should report the incident to a trusted adult and police.
To learn more about the prevention of child exploitation as well as support for those impacted by child exploitation, visit: cybertip.ca
For Sextortion specific information, visit: cybertip.ca/en/online-harms/sextortion