WeChat messaging app linked to blackmail scam
A free messaging and calling app popular in the Asian community is being used by scammers to blackmail men who use it to meet women, according to Toronto police.
Investigators say after a victim reaches out to someone on the WeChat app, he will be asked to send iTunes gift cards worth a few hundred dollars, along with its activation codes.
Police say the victim is assured he will be reimbursed for the cards with cash.
"After the initial encounter, the demand for more iTunes gift cards or money transfers escalates and threats of revealing the online relationship to the male user's family are made," police said in a statement.
Police say the suspects are believed to be located outside Canada.
WeCHAT says over a billion people use the app worldwide.
