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He is expected to appear in court again Tuesday, by video-conference from the Regional Detention Centre.

Acting. Sgt. Peter Van Der Zander said a man attempted to conceal his identity by using a fake social media profile to stalk women online.

The man used photos, in some cases, to extort “things of a private nature” from the victims. Van Der Zander would not say what kind of photos the man used nor what he was trying to obtain from the victims.

“He wanted to capitalize on their vulnerability,” Van Der Zander said. “He’s an unknown person who is potentially defaming their character online to friends and colleagues. That has a huge impact on their lives, job prospects.”

Van Der Zander said the man somehow hacked into victims’ email to learn things he could use to extort them.

Police wouldn’t say when the first victim came forward to police, but said one of the last known victims reported the online harassment in May.

Around the same time, investigators determined there was a link between several incidents of online harassment they were investigating as separate cases.

Police said they bundled the investigations into one and uncovered the real identity of Scotty Toppers.

Police say that after they identified the accused, some victims realized they knew him.

Some of the victims also knew each other. In some cases, women didn’t go to police until they found out some of their friends were also alleged victims.

“Often times, people in that scenario will shut down their social media account,” Van Der Zander said. “Not every victim of a crime reports that crime to police, especially a crime that’s of such a personal nature.”

Anyone with information about this case can call police at 613-236-1222, ext. 3566.

With files from Marie-Danielle Smith

mhurley@ottawacitizen.com

Twitter.com/meghan_hurley

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Nicholas Decarlo, 29, has not been charged with possession of a firearm. Incorrect information appeared in an earlier version of this story.