NCCIA Lahore arrests man over alleged cyber blackmail of foreign women

The arrest was made on the special directions of NCCIA Punjab Director Muhammad Ali Waseem as part of an ongoing crackdown on cyber blackmail

LAHORE: The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) Lahore has arrested a man from Rahim Yar Khan for allegedly blackmailing foreign women using their photographs and personal information and demanding money in exchange for not sharing the material with their families.

The arrest was made on the special directions of NCCIA Punjab Director Muhammad Ali Waseem as part of an ongoing crackdown on cyber blackmail and the unauthorised use of women’s private information.

According to investigators, the suspect, identified as Muhammad Salman, allegedly obtained personal details and photographs of women while working abroad and later misused the information after returning to Pakistan. He reportedly contacted the women and threatened to circulate their images and personal data unless they paid him money.

Investigators said the suspect possessed manipulated and objectionable images of several women and allegedly used them to pressure his victims. He also threatened to share the material on social media and send it to relatives and other family members if his demands were not met.

An NCCIA team arrested Salman in Rahim Yar Khan and recovered a mobile phone and SIM card from his possession. Officials said the device contained private and objectionable material linked to a female victim and has been secured for further investigation.

A case has been registered against the suspect, while investigators are conducting a forensic examination of his digital devices to determine whether other women were also targeted.

NCCIA Punjab Director Muhammad Ali Waseem said action against individuals involved in cyber blackmail, harassment, the misuse of personal information and manipulated images would continue without discrimination.