In August of 2020, the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) began an online extortion investigation after a victim reported being repeatedly contacted online and asked to send a nude image in exchange for money. The victim was assured the image would only be viewed for a few seconds and deleted.
After receiving the image, the suspect saved it and threatened to distribute online unless a sum of money was paid. No money was exchanged.
On June 12, 2021 the suspect, Benjamin Haden (19) of Georgetown was arrested and a search warrant was executed at his residence resulting in numerous electronic devices being seized by police. Haden has been charged with:
Extortion (2 counts)
Haden was held in custody pending a bail hearing.
Police believe there may be additional victims in the community and are asking anyone who had contact with the following online identities to contact police:
Ben_Haden0821
Zander_Laudry20
Nick_Smith
James_Hamilton
S_man8080
The HRPS is encouraging parents to discuss online “sextortion” with their children and if it is believed anyone has fallen victim to this type of crime, police should be contacted immediately.
Police would also like to remind the public of the following:
All images shared over the internet can be saved without your knowledge
Never send images to unknown persons over the internet
Increase all privacy and security settings on all of your social media accounts
For additional internet safety tips, please visit https://www.cytertip.ca/app/en/
If anyone has information in relation to this investigation or have been victimized by the above online identities, please contact Detective Paul Harrower #9065 of the 2 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4747 ext. 2219.
Tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers "See Something? Hear Something? Know Something? Contact Crime Stoppers" at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca.
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