How to Report Extortion

How to Report Extortion

Your report matters more than you think. Here’s how to do it — and what to expect.

Why Reporting Matters

You might think: “Nothing will happen if I report.” Or: “It’s too embarrassing.” Or: “I just want this to go away.”

We understand. But here’s what reporting actually does:

It Helps Everyone — Including You

You’re Not Alone

Thousands of people report extortion in Canada every year. Police have heard it all. They will not judge you. They will not contact your family without your consent. They will not share your information publicly.

Your report is confidential. The extortionist will not find out you reported.

Addressing Common Fears

“I’m ashamed of what happened.”

You are the victim of a crime. Whatever the extortionist is threatening to expose — real or fabricated — does not change that. Police have seen every type of extortion. Their job is to stop criminals, not judge victims.

“Nothing will happen anyway.”

Every report adds intelligence. Even if your individual case doesn’t lead to an immediate arrest, your information helps investigators see the bigger picture. Serial extortionists have been caught because multiple victims reported.

“What if my family finds out?”

Reporting is confidential. Police will not contact your family unless you ask them to or there’s an immediate safety concern (like a kidnapping threat). You control how much you share.

“I paid. Doesn’t that make me look bad?”

No. Many victims pay under extreme duress. This is normal and understandable. Police know that coerced payments don’t make you complicit — they make you a victim. Report anyway.

“I don’t have enough evidence.”

Report with whatever you have. Partial information is still useful. Police can sometimes recover deleted messages, trace phone numbers, and connect your case to others. Don’t let imperfect evidence stop you.

How to Report to Police

Step 1: Decide Where to Report

Report to your local police service based on where you live:

If you’re in immediate danger, call 911.

Step 2: Prepare What to Bring

You don’t need everything — but the more you have, the better:

Essential:

• Your ID (driver’s license, passport, or BC Services Card)
• Phone with messages/call history (or screenshots)
• Timeline of events (dates, times, what happened)

Helpful if you have it:

• Screenshots of all communications
• Phone numbers used by the extortionist
• Social media profiles (screenshots of their accounts)
• Payment records (if you paid)
• Evidence of what they threatened to share or do

→ See our Evidence Preservation Guide for detailed instructions.

Step 3: What to Say

You don’t need to rehearse a speech. Just tell them what happened in your own words. Here’s a simple structure:

1. “I want to report extortion.” — This tells them the crime type right away.
2. When it started — “I first received a message on [date].”
3. What they demanded — “They demanded [money/action] or threatened to [consequence].”
4. What’s happened since — Ongoing contact, escalation, payments made.
5. Evidence you have — “I have screenshots, call records, etc.”

You can ask for:

• A female officer (if that makes you more comfortable)
• An interpreter (services available in Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu, and other languages)
• A private room for your report
• A victim services referral

Step 4: Get Your File Number

When you report, you’ll receive a police file number. Write it down and keep it safe. You’ll need this for:

• Following up on your case
• Insurance claims
• Victim services applications
• Any future reports about the same extortionist

How to Report to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC)

The CAFC is Canada’s national fraud and cybercrime reporting centre. Reporting here helps track national and international extortion patterns.

Contact Information

What CAFC Does With Your Report

• Analyzes patterns — Connects reports from across Canada to identify fraud rings
• Shares intelligence — Provides data to law enforcement agencies nationwide
• Issues alerts — Publishes warnings about emerging scam types
• Supports investigations — Helps local police with cross-jurisdictional cases

Note: CAFC collects and analyzes reports but does not investigate individual cases. For investigation, you still need to report to local police.

Should I Report to Both Police AND CAFC?

Yes. They serve different purposes:

Report to local police first, then CAFC.

Anonymous Reporting Options

If you’re not ready to give your name, you can still help — and get information to police.

BC Crime Stoppers

How Anonymous Reporting Works

1. You never give your name — Crime Stoppers doesn’t ask for it and can’t trace your call
2. You get a tip number — This lets you follow up or provide additional information later
3. Your tip goes to police — Investigators receive the information without knowing who sent it
4. You may be eligible for a reward — If your tip leads to an arrest, rewards up to $2,000 are available

When to Use Anonymous Reporting

• You have information but aren’t ready to be involved in an investigation
• You witnessed extortion targeting someone else
• You want to report patterns in your community without being identified
• You’re afraid of retaliation

Note: Anonymous reports are valuable, but identified reports are stronger. If you can report directly, it gives police more ability to follow up and investigate.

What Happens After You Report

Realistic Expectations

Why Cases Take Time

• Extortionists often operate from outside Canada
• Phone numbers and accounts may be spoofed or stolen
• Building a case strong enough for charges requires evidence
• Cross-border cooperation involves multiple agencies

Not hearing back doesn’t mean nothing is happening. Police may be working on your case even if they don’t call you.

Following Up

You can call the police non-emergency line and provide your file number to ask for updates. Be patient — investigators handle many cases — but you have every right to ask.

Victim Services Referrals

When you report, ask about victim services. In BC, you may be connected to:

→ Learn more about BC Victim Services

Quick Reference: Reporting Contacts

Summary: Your Reporting Checklist

• Decide to report (you’re doing the right thing)
• Gather evidence you have (screenshots, call logs, timeline)
• Report to local police — get your file number
• Report to CAFC (online or phone)
• Ask about victim services
• Consider Crime Stoppers if you want to add anonymous information
• Follow up using your file number if you want updates
• Know that your report matters — even if you never see the outcome

You’re Helping More Than You Know

Every report chips away at the silence that lets extortion thrive. When you report, you join thousands of others who’ve said: This isn’t okay. This is a crime. I’m not going to let it stay hidden.

You might never know if your report helped catch someone, or warned someone, or gave an investigator the piece they needed. But it might have. It matters.

Thank you for reporting.

Need Support?

VictimLink BC: 1-800-563-0808 (24/7, free, confidential, 240+ languages including Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu)

Victim service workers can help you prepare to report and support you through the process.

→ Back to What To Do
→ Evidence Preservation Guide
→ Get Help

Last updated: February 2026