Recently, Saskatoon photographer Nicole Akeson posted on Facebook and Kijiji Saskatoon advertising her Christmas family photo specials. The 23-year-old said she thought it would be a good way to attract new clients during the winter months.

It wasn't long after posting the ads that Akeson said she received a disturbing call from a private number.

"He said he wanted some pictures of his family, which was fine, at his house; all dressed up in front of the fireplace and then he turned and said 'I want some done in front of a mural I have in my basement, it's a beach. I want everyone in their bathing suits'," Akeson said.

Akeson said the call took a scary, awkward turn next.

"He turned and said, 'I am going to take my sons away and I want nudes of my daughters'," she explained.

Akeson told CBC News that she asked the unknown man how old his daughters were and that he told her they were nine and 14.

"I said, 'I can't do that. You know, that's child porn'," Akeson stated. "I tried to lead him on to get his name, number, anything. But he just kept avoiding the questions and eventually he just hung up."

No joke

Akeson said after the call ended she had an overwhelming feeling in her gut that something was wrong.

"I was really shocked, so right away I called my mom and sister back home because I didn't know what to make of it," she said. "And then I posted on Kijiji and Facebook what happened to me to warn other people."

Next Akeson said she contacted the police and filled out an official report on the incident. She told CBC News that police have since told her they forwarded her complaint to a unit that deals with crimes of a sexual nature.

No one with the Saskatoon Police Service was available to comment on the matter on Saturday afternoon when CBC News inquired.

"A lot of people were saying it was probably just a prank and whatnot," Akeson explained. "It didn't sound like a prank and the fact that he said he had four young children, two boys and two girls ... that just frightens me having a child of my own and I wouldn't want anyone's kids to have to go through that."

Akeson said she hopes sharing her story will remind parents and photographers alike that they need to be careful.

"There's a lot of sick people out there and if anybody else gets a phone call like this, I hope they have more luck finding out who it is," Akeson said.

Akeson also told CBC News that Saskatoon Police told her it was good she filed the report.

"They said that there is cases going on here, in Saskatoon, of trafficking and all that," she explained.

What to do if you suspect child abuse

According to Section 12(1) of the Child and Family Service Act, “every person who has reasonable grounds to believe that a child is in need of protection shall report that information to an officer (child protection worker of Saskatchewan Social Services) or Peace Officer (Police Officer).”

Saskatchewan has several Social Services Child Protection offices throughout the province.



