Scam alert as Ontario residents sent ‘graphic violent images’

Police are warning of a scam in which victims are sent “graphic violent images” and threatened.

Toronto police said that the ongoing scam is being reported “with increasing frequency.”

Residents in the Greater Toronto Area are getting phone calls or text messages from American phone numbers with the area codes 470 and 404, police said, which are from the Atlanta area.

“Graphic violent images are then texted to the victim,” police said.

“A demand for money is made, and if not paid, the sender is alleging violence will come to the victim.”

Police said it’s a scam used to try to extort money.

If someone receives one of those messages or phone calls, they were advised to contact police immediately and not pay anything.