FREDERICTON -- RCMP in New Brunswick say a video appeal for help in their investigation of a Moncton man accused of luring as many as 2,000 boys online has had about 750,000 views world-wide and is producing leads.
Const. Jullie Rogers-Marsh said the video has been shared on social media by police forces in many countries, viewed about 50,000 times on the RCMP's Youtube channel, and about 700,000 times via Facebook.
She said while police have received some information, she can't give any details or even the number of calls.
"People are sharing, and we're asking the public to continue to do that, as victims could be anywhere and it's important that we reach as many people as possible," Rogers-Marsh said Wednesday.
The 24-year-old Moncton man, who cannot be named because of a court-ordered publication ban, is facing several sex offences after allegedly pretending to be a teenaged girl online and luring boys between the ages of 10 and 16.
Investigators say it's possible that some boys may not be aware they were victimized and police are urging potential victims to come forward.
The Mounties say the man allegedly contacted the boys through live video chats on various social media sites including Skype, Facebook, Omegle and Vichatter.
Police say the offences are alleged to have occurred between January 2012 and last fall, and may involve victims in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Australia and Russia.
The RCMP investigation started last fall as the result of information uncovered by York Regional Police in Ontario during an investigation called Project Hydra.
The man appeared in Moncton provincial court in February and was charged with making child pornography, possessing child pornography, making available child pornography, touching a person under the age of 14 for a sexual purpose, and sexual assault. He was remanded.
Two weeks in November have been set aside for trial.
