A 25-year-old man from Regina, Saskatchewan, is now facing serious criminal charges following a sextortion investigation that targeted a teenage boy.
Investigation Launched After Inter-Provincial Alert
The case came to light after the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) contacted the Saskatchewan Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit in June 2025. The OPP was investigating a report where a 15-year-old male had become a victim of online sextortion. This inter-provincial cooperation triggered the investigation in Saskatchewan.
Deceptive Tactics and Extortion Revealed
According to the Regina Police Service news release issued on Wednesday, the investigation revealed a disturbing scheme. The adult male suspect allegedly posed as a teenage female on the internet. Using this false identity, he convinced the 15-year-old victim to send a nude photograph of himself.
Once the image was received, the suspect's demands shifted. He then attempted to extort money from the teenage victim, threatening consequences if his demands were not met. This pattern of obtaining compromising material and then using it for financial gain is a hallmark of sextortion crimes.
Charges Laid and Court Date Set
As a direct result of the Saskatchewan ICE Unit's investigation, the Regina man now faces formal charges. He has been charged with extortion and accessing child sexual abuse and exploitation material.
The accused was released from custody but must abide by a set of court-imposed conditions. He is scheduled to make his first appearance on these charges at Regina Provincial Court on January 29.
This case underscores the ongoing dangers of online sextortion, particularly for young people. It also highlights the critical role of specialized police units like the ICE Unit and inter-provincial collaboration in combating internet-facilitated crimes against children.
