RIYADH: The Riyadh police have arrested a blackmailer in the Eastern Province who threatened to publish pictures of a girl on social media.
An official from the Riyadh police said that this was the second such case of blackmail in Riyadh during the past ten days.
The complaint on behalf of the threatened Saudi girl was lodged with the police station in Al-Naseem district.
According to the complaint, the blackmailer demanded money from the girl for not posting her pictures on social media.
On inquiry, the Criminal Investigation Department of the Riyadh police tracked the blackmailer to the Al-Ahsa province. When confronted by the police, the suspect, a Saudi man in his twenties, confessed to the crime.
Col. Fawaz bin Jameel Al-Maiman, spokesman of the Riyadh police, said the suspect would be in police custody until the inquiries are completed.
A blackmailer’s demands may be monetary as well as the commission of acts that are immoral and criminal. Most victims prefer to meet the blackmailer’s demands and avoid public exposure.
It is common for people these days to become online blackmail victims. Social media services are not to blame for the way they are being used.
Experts advise users not to write their personal thoughts about anybody on their social media accounts as it is read not only by friends but others who know their way around the Internet.
They also advise users against uploading pictures and valuables as it is the easiest way to invite blackmailers, stalkers, hijackers, kidnappers and scammers into your life. “Adjust your privacy settings on social networking sites so that only your friends can see your private information. Do not post your phone number, mobile number, e-mail address, street address and any personal information on the Internet,” one blogger advised.
Avoid communicating with anyone other than legitimate friends and verify communications from new people. Even on the Internet, do not talk to strangers, the expert advised.
An official from the Riyadh police said that this was the second such case of blackmail in Riyadh during the past ten days.
The complaint on behalf of the threatened Saudi girl was lodged with the police station in Al-Naseem district.
According to the complaint, the blackmailer demanded money from the girl for not posting her pictures on social media.
On inquiry, the Criminal Investigation Department of the Riyadh police tracked the blackmailer to the Al-Ahsa province. When confronted by the police, the suspect, a Saudi man in his twenties, confessed to the crime.
Col. Fawaz bin Jameel Al-Maiman, spokesman of the Riyadh police, said the suspect would be in police custody until the inquiries are completed.
A blackmailer’s demands may be monetary as well as the commission of acts that are immoral and criminal. Most victims prefer to meet the blackmailer’s demands and avoid public exposure.
It is common for people these days to become online blackmail victims. Social media services are not to blame for the way they are being used.
Experts advise users not to write their personal thoughts about anybody on their social media accounts as it is read not only by friends but others who know their way around the Internet.
They also advise users against uploading pictures and valuables as it is the easiest way to invite blackmailers, stalkers, hijackers, kidnappers and scammers into your life. “Adjust your privacy settings on social networking sites so that only your friends can see your private information. Do not post your phone number, mobile number, e-mail address, street address and any personal information on the Internet,” one blogger advised.
Avoid communicating with anyone other than legitimate friends and verify communications from new people. Even on the Internet, do not talk to strangers, the expert advised.
