RCMP warns against being "ninja'd", urges public not to share personal information for social media gift exchanges

May 19, 2020
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador

Public Alert

An increasingly popular social media trend is raising concerns for police. Today, RCMP NL cautioned the public against sharing personal information of themselves or their children in online groups in order to participate in gift exchanges.

A number of groups have recently been created promoting anonymous gift exchanges where persons who join the group provide personal information about themselves, including their name, home address and favourite things as suggestions of potential gifts. In some cases, participants are sharing names and ages of children. Some groups offer gifts of wine, treats and bath products, delivered by anonymous "wine ninjas".

The RCMP strongly advises against the sharing of personal information in these groups, especially information on children. While many of these groups are well-intentioned and the activity is not illegal, one should not assume that every person has good intentions. Providing personal information about children specifically runs the risk of opening up communications between online predators and children. Please use caution and common sense when taking part in such activities.

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Contact information

Corporal Jolene Garland
Media Relations Officer – RCMP NL
709-772-6170

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