Police are warning that a creepy caller who has made threatening calls to women across the Lower Mainland has struck Abbotsford.
Sgt. Judy Bird said the Abbotsford Police Department (APD) has received recent reports of calls being received locally in which the male caller identifies the victim by name and knows she lives in Abbotsford.
“He has just enough information for the person to be afraid,” Bird said.
The caller asks the woman to send naked pictures and/or claims he has been watching her through cameras he installed inside her home.
He also demands that the woman engage in sexually explicit conversation with him and, if she doesn’t, he says she – or a family member – will be killed.
He is often described as speaking in a quiet voice.
RCMP released a warning about the caller late last month, and they indicated at the time that there is no evidence to indicate that the caller has actually installed any cameras.
Most calls are received on the victim’s home phone number, but some female employees of lingerie and swimwear stores have received calls at their workplace.
Police believe the caller is using a phone number spoofing app, software or website which changes the caller identification number.
He appears to be gathering information about his victims through open social media sources.
Police recommend that anyone receiving such a call record the phone number, hang up immediately, block the number if possible, and immediately report the incident to local police. (In Abbotsford, call 604-859-5225 or text 222973.)
They also suggest using an unlisted name and number.
Meanwhile, Bird said the APD has also received recent reports of a spam email being circulated in which the recipient is told that the sender has naked pictures of them and they need to send money in order to prevent the photos from being released.
“Delete, delete, delete,” Bird advises that people should do if they receive such an email.
