Police say their investigation began in January 2020 with an investigator posing as a child on an undisclosed online messaging system.

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

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

'Cappers' typically start talking to kids on popular social media platforms like Snapchat or Instagram, but things can escalate quickly, experts say.

Co-founder and president and CEO of Actua, Jennifer Flanagan, talks about how parents can help their children stay safe online.

Kids being home from school due to the coronavirus pandemic means they have more access to the internet, and police are urging parents to keep an eye on what their child is doing online.

'As young people spend more time online during this time of confinement, the risks associated with this type of crime also increase,' police say. 

The challenge has sent at least one 12-year-old child to hospital.

"Everyone told me that this is something that they all know is happening, but no one wants to talk about."

From identity theft to phishing scams, fraudsters are gearing up for the holiday season.