Police have urged caution when weighing up potential online relationships.
Camera IconPolice have urged caution when weighing up potential online relationships. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Online extortion: Glendalough man charged after allegedly threatening to broadcast explicit images of women he met online

Staff writerStirling Times

POLICE have charged a Glendalough man with extortion-related offences after he allegedly threatened to publish explicit pictures of women he met online if they did not send him money.

It will be alleged that between 2014 to 2016, the 37-year-old man used online dating sites to meet two women.

The relationships progressed and the first victim, a 36-year-old woman from Tasmania, allegedly supplied more than $900 to the man after he demanded money from her.

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In the second case, the man allegedly made personal threats to a 44-year-old Kalamunda woman online

The man has been charged with two counts of demanding property by written threats, possessing a prohibited drug (anabolic steroids) and using a telecommunication carrier to menace, harass or annoy.

He has also been charged with breach of bail and perverting the course of justice.

He will appear before the Perth Magistrates Court today.

Police are investigating further matters and believe that a number of people may have information to assist.

They are keen on speaking to anyone who has had communication online with a profile known as ‘Leigh’, who describes himself as being from Tasmania and works within the construction industry.

Anyone who has information can call Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.

Meanwhile, police have issued a series of guidelines for using social media or dating sites.

These are as follows:

Before you start a relationship, set boundaries and limits for yourself.

Only post or send images that you would want the public to see or know. Once it’s been sent, it’s no longer under your control.

Use the individual platforms for messaging, once you move off their websites there is no further mediation controls through the site administrators.

Do not send money to people you have only met, you might believe their story and feel sorry for them but that’s all it is – a story.

It not a matter of if you will be scammed while using social media. It is a question of when.