Iraqi security forces seize 18 online blackmail suspects

Security authorities in Iraq announced on Saturday the arrest of 18 people who had extorted electronic money from women.

The Security Media Cell said in a statement, that “based on the complaints received from a group of girls, the National Security Agency units intensified their intelligence efforts, and quickly set up ambushes based on judicial warrants that contributed to the arrest of 6 people who are practicing electronic blackmail against women by bargaining with them in exchange for extorting money in Kerbala province.”

“After obtaining judicial approvals and intensifying their security efforts in the provinces of Kirkouk, Al-Anbar, Muthanna, Wâsit, Nadjaf et Bassora, the detachments of the apparatus were able to arrest (12) electronic blackmailers threatening to publish their photos in the event that no money was obtained from them, their statements being recorded, and have all transmitted them to the judicial authorities for the necessary measures to be taken against them”.

The Interior Ministry earlier warned of a dramatic and alarming rise in cybercrime in the country, describing it as the next “biggest threat” to Iraqi society.

Cyber-extortion mainly affects women, public figures and young people, and its drivers are money, sex and social and political misrepresentations.