The New Brunswick RCMP is warning residents against taking the law into their own hands following reports of vigilante-style activities in the Dieppe, Moncton and Riverview areas. The Codiac Regional RCMP says it is aware of a group of individuals posing as children online to lure people into committing criminal acts. Police say the practice can put participants at risk and interfere with ongoing investigations or future court proceedings. “We have a number of specialized units and teams who work diligently investigating these types of crimes each and every day,” said Cpl. Luc Picard, with the New Brunswick RCMP, in a news release. “Our investigators have very robust strategies, including undercover police work, to tackle these complex investigations in accordance with the Criminal Code and case law.” Police say 38 people have been arrested in connection with child exploitation related offences, 74 charges have been laid, and 153 victims were located since April 2024. Picard adds the public is not always aware of the work the force is doing, but ensuring the safety of children is something the RCMP works towards every day. “Due to the complexities of these investigations, and the expertise required to retrieve digital evidence in compliance with court demands, they often take time in order to ensure the case can be successfully prosecuted,” said Picard. The RCMP is asking anyone who is a victim of crime, or who has information that can help an investigation, to call 1-888-506-7867 or 911 if the incident is still in progress or is an emergency. For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
