The Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) has launched investigations into multiple schools in the area following a series of child exploitation incidents in recent weeks.
Authorities have alerted the public to a concerning trend involving organized groups known as “The Com,” a shorthand for “The Community.”
These groups, suspected to be comprised of online predators, are said to employ tactics such as grooming, manipulation, coercion, and intimidation to exploit young individuals.
In a statement released on Friday, the DRPS highlighted that offenders often manipulate victims by establishing trust, fostering secrecy through fear or shame, and pressuring them into engaging in harmful or criminal activities.
The alleged predators are said to target children as young as 8 years old on various popular online platforms, including Discord, Telegram, Snapchat, Roblox, Minecraft, Twitch, and Steam.
It is reported that the suspects employ strategies like befriending or showing romantic interest to gain victims’ trust, alongside using fear, guilt, or intimidation for manipulation.
Victims are then coerced into participating in dangerous or risky activities, with some being threatened with the exposure of private information, doxing, or swatting.
The police have linked several recent community incidents to this online predatory group and are urging parents to be vigilant for signs of concerning behavior in their children. These signs may include withdrawal, secrecy, mood swings, or declining academic performance.
Parents are advised to watch out for signs such as the increased use of encrypted messaging apps, secretive phone or electronic device usage, and a fascination with extreme or harmful online ideologies.
DRPS recommends parents have open conversations with their children about the dangers of sharing personal information or images online and to inquire about the platforms they use and people they interact with.
To safeguard their children, authorities suggest that parents monitor their online activities regularly and pay attention to platforms featuring chat or group functions.