Investigators with the Thunder Bay Police Services Cyber Crime Unit have charged a 31 year old city man following an investigation where he is alleged to have used ‘Catfishing’ techniques online to lure and potentially groom youths.
Catfishing is where someone creates and uses a fictional online persona.
Police were first made aware of an internet user in Thunder Bay on April 4th 2022 and on June 9th of that year officers executed a search warrant at a home, seizing multiple electronic devices.
An investigation revealed the accused was using the identity of another existing person, and was distributing intimate images of that person without their consent.
Additionally evidence was also obtained that the accused was luring youths under the age of 16.
He was taken into custody on Wednesday, and has been charged with:
• Distribute Intimate Image Without Consent x 4
• Luring Person Under 16 Years of Age by Means of Telecommunication
• Make Sexually Explicit Material Available t o a Person Under 16 Years of Age
• Making Child Pornography
• Personate With Intent
• Fail to Comply with Probation Order
The accused appeared in court on Thursday and was remanded into custody.
If you know someone who may be victimizing children online, please report your concerns to Cybertip.ca, which is Canada’s national tipline for the reporting online sexual exploitation of children. You can also visit Cybertip.ca for more information about addressing child victimization.
Follow
