The anti-money laundering agency is flagging some telltale signs that a financial transaction could be linked to online child sexual exploitation.

Officers charged 61-year-old Stephen Ball, a resident from Whitby, with possessing child pornography, access to child pornography and luring a child.

In 2020, Peterborough Police Service has been involved in 84 child exploitation investigations that have lead to charges, but they say incidents are increasing.

Police say a nine-year-old child was asked to send inappropriate photographs to a stranger on an app.

Investigators seized several electronic devices for forensic analysis, according to a news release.

Epp was initially charged in March while working as a teacher at Oakridge Secondary School.

RCMP began investigating July 23 after hearing reports an area man was sexually exploiting boys in the Lynn Lake, Man. area.

With kids spending more time at home and online, parents are being advised to keep an eye on their activity and an open dialogue.

In 2020 so far, the Peterborough Police Service's special victims unit has investigated more than 120 internet child exploitation cases.

In a news release, ALERT said members of ICE speculate that the "rise in the number of investigative referrals" is "likely in part related to digital dependency during COVID-19 isolation measures."