Winnipeg man, 21, faces multiple charges in sextortion case with victims in 4 provinces

A 21-year-old Winnipeg man is facing numerous extortion charges, accused of threatening to post intimate images online unless he was paid money by victims across four provinces — at least two of whom were minors, police say.

Tongun Justin Tongun, 21, has been charged with 10 counts of extortion, the Winnipeg Police Service said Tuesday.

The investigation began in January after a man in his 20s came forward to Winnipeg police, saying he shared intimate images with someone online who presented themselves as a young woman. 

After he sent the images, the man said the accused threatened to share them online unless the victim sent money, according to Winnipeg police.

They identified three more victims in February and Tongun was charged with four counts of extortion.

A subsequent investigation involving the RCMP, along with Ontario's York region, Hamilton and Halton police services, found six more male victims from Manitoba, Alberta, Ontario and Prince Edward Island, Winnipeg police say.

On June 11, Tongun was charged with six additional counts of extortion as a result. 

All of the victims were under the age of 30, including at least two under 18, Sgt. Trevor Thompson with the Winnipeg Police Service's financial crimes unit said at a Tuesday news conference.

Police believe there are likely more victims and are encouraging them to come forward, Thompson said. 

"Had that initial victim not reported to Winnipeg Police Service, we wouldn't be standing here today," Thompson said.

"If there's anyone who's watching here today and this has happened to you, the importance of reporting cannot be understated." 

Investigators say they believe the crimes may have international ties, because there is evidence money was transferred overseas.

Surge in cases: child protection centre

The charges come amidst a stark rise in sextortion crimes targeting youth, according to data from Canadian Centre for Child Protection. 

Over the last 12 months, the Winnipeg-based agency has received more than 3,400 reports of sextortion through its tip line, Cybertip.ca, said Cybertip director Stephen Sauer — on average, nearly 65 victims per week.

The centre has seen a nearly 50 per cent increase in victims seeking help in the last six months alone, he said at Tuesday's news conference — but he's also concerned about those affected who don't reach out for help.

"Most victims are trying to deal with this on their own, so the true scale of the problem is much greater than these numbers suggest," Sauer said. 

A large proportion of these cases involve mobile apps like Snapchat or Instagram, Sauer said, adding that the centre wants to see stronger legislation to ensure tech companies are held accountable. 

"We really need governments to come out with legislation that will protect our children to make sure there is a duty of care," he said. 

Advice for victims

Sauer and Winnipeg police shared a number of tips for people who believe they may be a victim of sextortion. 

If someone is threatening to share your intimate images, stop all communication with them, Sauer said. 

Don't give in to threats and never send money or additional images, he added. 

"From our experience, we know that the extorters often continue to come back for more once the victim complies," he said. 

He also recommends victims take screenshots and save messages, along with any other info about the extorter, like usernames or social media information, as well as any images of the suspect's account.

Social media accounts should be deactivated but not deleted if you've been targeted, as they could have valuable information for investigators, Sauer said. 

He said what's most important is to contact police or Cybertip.ca for help, adding that in certain cases, Cybertip can work to have suspect's accounts disabled or get a victim's images removed.

 "You don't have to deal with this alone," he said.

Winnipeg man faces multiple charges in sextortion case

2 years ago

Duration 2:23

A 21-year-old Winnipeg man is facing numerous extortion charges, accused of threatening to post intimate images online unless he was paid money by victims across four provinces — at least two of whom were minors, police say.