NCCIA arrests three suspects for blackmailing women through social media

LAHORE, Nov 01 (APP):The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) arrested three suspects for allegedly harassing, blackmailing and defaming women through social media in separate incidents, including two arrests in Lahore and one in Faisalabad.

NCCIA Lahore Zone Additional Director Atif Ameer told media on Sunday that a suspect was arrested from Engineering Town, Lahore, for allegedly blackmailing a woman from Multan Cantt after obtaining her private pictures and videos on the pretext of marriage. The suspect had also allegedly gained unauthorized access to her Snapchat account and demanded money from her. He also created a fake TikTok account in her name and shared her pictures. The victim’s private data was recovered from the mobile phone seized from the suspect, who belongs to Arifwala, Pakpattan district.

In another operation, an accused was arrested from Lahore for allegedly sharing a Multan-based woman’s pictures and videos through fake channels without her consent, damaging her reputation. An Infinix Smart 8 mobile phone containing the victim’s pictures and videos was recovered from his possession.

In a separate case, a suspect was arrested near Faisalabad Toll Plaza for allegedly blackmailing a woman from Vehari through WhatsApp and threatening to share her private pictures on social media. An Oppo F19 mobile phone containing WhatsApp accounts allegedly used for blackmailing and related evidence was recovered from him.

Atif Ameer said the NCCIA has taken all three mobile phones into custody and initiated further investigation and legal proceedings against the suspects. He mentioned the agency was taking effective measures to protect women from online harassment and blackmailing, adding that strict legal action would be taken against those involved in such offences.