Hamilton man faces online extortion charge
A Hamilton man faces a charge of extortion after allegedly threatening to share nude images of a woman he met online.
Toronto police say a woman began corresponding online in March with a man using the assumed name Tim James. She shared nude photos at his request.
The man later demanded the woman perform sex acts in front of her computer webcam, threatening to share the photos with family and friends if she refused.
The woman contacted police as the requests became more “extreme,” according to the release.
Toronto police searched homes in Oakville and Hamilton as part of an investigation Friday.
Brandin Basso, 25, of Hamilton, was arrested and faces charges of extortion and publishing intimate images without consent.
Police have published a photo of Basso and a list of online aliases in the hopes of reaching other members of the public with information. They allege Basso used a computergenerated phone number (647-6996831) to send text messages as well as using the following names:
Tim James, Smith Jones, Mike Jones, John_Turner 1029384756, Mikejames123456, Johnybravo1029384756, Timjames12345, Smithjames1234567892, Timjames1234567890, Timjames123456 and Carlos.
Anyone with information about the case can call investigators at 416-808-1100 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477).