A Sharjah Police investigation into an alleged online extortion operation began after a victim filed a complaint; investigators mapped the network’s infrastructure across 14 countries, Gulf News reported.
Gulf News said the inquiry began after a victim filed a complaint and led police to dismantle the operation. It described the targets as social media influencers and celebrities. The newspaper attributed its account to Lieutenant Colonel Saqr Ahmed, who heads the Digital Crimes Section at Sharjah Police and discussed the case on Sharjah TV’s Al Shurti program.
The report said altered photo filters enabled the group to access users’ private pictures and account information. Its operators allegedly demanded ransom while threatening to release the material if victims did not pay.
Gulf News reported that the network also offered social media verification badges, follower growth, account security and recovery. Some services were pitched to people whose accounts or images the group had allegedly compromised, the newspaper said.
The report said the operation presented itself as an online service business. It also described the use of foreign phone numbers to make threats and partnerships with outside entities posing as technical-support providers.
Gulf News said the investigation used digital forensics and artificial intelligence, along with cooperation from law-enforcement agencies in other countries. The newspaper did not name the 14 countries or provide totals for victims, suspects or arrests, or amounts of ransom.
The report said Sharjah Police advised residents to review permissions requested by third-party apps, especially those seeking camera, gallery or storage access. Police also urged victims of blackmail to keep messages and other digital evidence and report the threats, Gulf News reported.
