Prince George RCMP is alerting parents and caregivers to the dangers of sextortion after determining that a 12-year-old boy killed himself after being blackmailed online. The RCMP logo is seen outside the force's 'E' division headquarters in Surrey, B.C., on Thursday, March 16, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
PRINCE GEORGE – Mounties in Prince George, B.C., say a 12-year-old boy killed himself in response to online sextortion.
Police say they issued the statement weeks after the boy shot himself to warn parents about the dangers to other children.
Police say they went to the boy’s home on Oct. 12 and found him with a gunshot wound.
RCMP say in a news release that they are calling on parents and caregivers to “be honest” with children about the dangers of online activity, especially if they are engaging in chats with people they don’t know off-line.
Cpl. Jennifer Cooper says while not every case of online sextortion will end in tragedy, the consequences of these things can follow a child for their entire life.
Police say the Prince George detachment alone has received 62 reports of online sextortion so far this year, surpassing the 56 they had last year.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 27, 2023.
