Operatives of the Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU), Lagos, have arrested three suspects over an alleged cyber blackmail and extortion scheme involving threats to leak a woman’s private photographs unless money was paid.

The PSFU spokesperson, DSP Ovie Ewhubare, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.

According to him, the suspects—two men and a woman—were apprehended following a petition by the victim, who reported receiving repeated threats and demands for money from unknown individuals.

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Ewhubare said the callers warned that her private images would be made public if she failed to comply, causing her significant fear and distress and prompting her to transfer money to them.

“The situation escalated when the suspects demanded an additional N10 million, leading her to formally report the matter to the police,” he said.

Upon receiving the complaint, the Commissioner of Police, PSFU, Kayode Ojapinwa, directed operatives to launch an immediate investigation, which resulted in the arrest of the three suspects.

Preliminary investigations revealed that one of the suspects allegedly gained unlawful access to the victim’s mobile device and transferred her private photographs to his own device without consent.

Police said he then conspired with the other suspects and accomplices still at large to extort money from the victim in several payments.

The suspects are currently in custody and will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations.

Ewhubare added that efforts were ongoing to track down other members of the syndicate and recover the proceeds of the crime.

Ojapinwa reaffirmed the unit’s commitment to combating cybercrime and advised members of the public to protect their personal data, exercise caution when using digital devices and promptly report any form of online harassment or extortion to law enforcement.

LUKMAN ABDULMALIK
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