UAE video: Cops help woman as online 'friend' blackmails her

The Abu Dhabi Police intervened to help a young woman who was blackmailed by a stranger she met on social media.

In a video clip posted on the force’s Twitter account, the young woman explained how she met the blackmailer on social media, and they became friends.

The friendship then developed into a relationship and she started sending him pictures and videos.

“After some time, he started threatening me. He said he would kill me if I ended my relationship with him,” the young woman said in the video.

She said someone later advised her to seek help from the authorities.

The young woman reported the matter to the Abu Dhabi Police’s department of social support centre. The police tracked down the blackmailer and arrested him.

“I urge all youngsters never to trust people they meet on social media and to refrain from sharing personal details or pictures with anyone they don’t know,” she said.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the police said that as part of the ‘Be Careful’ campaign, it emphasises the importance of families to monitor their children’s online activities and stay vigilant about the social media content they watch.

Officials warned that scammers might pose as women to gain victims’ trust, and then use their personal photographs to blackmail them to extract money.

The police explained that the major reasons for online blackmail among youngsters include "misuse of technology, lack of family role in guiding children, lack of disclosure among family members, weak religious faith, bad friends or bad groups and emptiness, desire for experience between different sexes, imitation, weak character of the victim and fear of scandals".

According to the UAE laws, those found guilty of blackmail face two years in jail and a fine between Dh250,000 and Dh500,000.

The police have urged youngsters and families to report cases of online blackmail by calling the hotline Aman Service on 8002626.

ismail@khaleejtimes.com

• Abu Dhabi