Electronic Blackmail on the Rise in Syria: Victims Share Their Harrowing Experiences with Suspicious Apps
In today’s digital age, where technology is woven into the fabric of daily life, new challenges have emerged, chief among them electronic blackmail. This crime poses a serious threat to individuals globally, as blackmailers can invade privacy and disrupt lives with the push of a button. By exploiting weak digital security or users’ lack of awareness about online risks, these criminals capitalize on vulnerabilities in the digital world.
Afaf’s Experience: From Phone Repair to a Blackmail Nightmare
Afaf, a young woman in her twenties, became one of the many victims of electronic blackmail. To protect her privacy, she chose not to reveal her real name, but she decided to share her story as a warning to other women and girls about the dangers of this crime. ‘My life changed completely after a bitter experience of blackmail. Through my story, I want to raise awareness about the importance of digital security,’ she says.
Her ordeal began when she took her phone to a repair shop in northern Syria, unaware that this moment would turn her life upside down. After her phone was hacked and personal photos, along with sensitive information, were stolen, she started receiving threatening messages from an unknown person demanding she comply with their orders in exchange for not leaking her photos
Sexual Blackmail: The Most Dangerous Form of Cybercrime
Aya Al-Ali, a digital security trainer in northern Syria, explains that electronic blackmail involves exploiting a victim’s personal information or photos to extort them, either financially or psychologically, in exchange for not releasing this sensitive data. She highlights that women are particularly vulnerable to this form of crime.
Afaf recounts her own experience: ‘I received threatening messages from an unknown number containing my personal photos. The blackmailer demanded that I either send more explicit images or pay a large sum of money.’ She adds, ‘I lived in constant fear and anxiety, terrified of the potential scandal and social stigma that could destroy my life if the threats were carried out.’
Statistics show that women are disproportionately targeted in cases of cyber blackmail, with their personal information and photos being exploited to pressure them. Yet, the fear of scandal or the situation escalating often prevents many victims from reporting these crimes, leading to a much higher number of unreported cases than what is officially recorded
Afaf sought help from a digital security expert after a close friend advised her to do so. She was convinced that her personal data had been compromised during a phone repair. For ten agonizing days, she lived in fear as the blackmailer demanded explicit photos or large sums of money.
The Role of Community Initiatives in Digital Awareness
As digital threats against women in northern Syria continue to rise, community initiatives have emerged to combat electronic blackmail and raise awareness of its dangers. One such initiative is the “Syrian Women Have a Voice” (SWV) campaign, launched by the Syrian Center for Drugs Control (SCDC) in collaboration with the Equity & Empowerment organization. Implemented in northern Syria, the campaign aims to educate the community about electronic blackmail and gender-based violence, which pose significant risks to women & girls in the region.
The initiative featured a variety of activities, including awareness sessions targeting over 2,800 individuals from different segments of society, including university students, clerics, and mothers. Heba Ezz El-Din, the organization’s executive director, emphasized that these activities are designed to close the digital knowledge gap that leaves women and girls vulnerable to blackmail and cyber violence. She highlighted that the campaign not only raised awareness but also offered psychological and social support to survivors, following up on extortion cases and providing them with electronic protection.
Interactive Podcast: Real Stories Analyzing Digital Violence
A standout feature of the campaign was the introduction of interactive digital content, including a podcast titled Defemale, which spotlighted real stories of women subjected to digital violence. These stories were analyzed with the help of psychological and technical experts, who offered solutions and advice on handling such situations.
Bilal Nasser, the campaign coordinator at the Syrian Center for Drugs Control, mentioned that the campaign expanded its efforts by publishing awareness materials on social media and launching a hotline to provide immediate support to victims. He emphasized that these initiatives play a vital role in encouraging victims to share their experiences, helping to break the silence and ensure they receive the necessary support.
The Legal Significance of Combating Electronic Blackmail in Northern Syria”
Electronic blackmail is one of the fastest-growing crimes in the digital age, particularly in conflict-affected regions like northern Syria, where criminal groups exploit the lack of legal and technical awareness to target individuals. As a result, the legal framework has become increasingly important in addressing these issues, both by protecting victims and punishing offenders.
Lawyer Asmaa Naasan noted that courts in northern Syria—whether in Idlib, Afrin, or Azaz in the eastern countryside of Aleppo—have established legal provisions to combat cybercrimes, including electronic blackmail. These laws impose penalties ranging from imprisonment to fines, and in Idlib, courts may also enforce discretionary punishments.
Legal Penalties Based on the Type of Crime
According to Al-Naasan, cybercrimes are addressed based on the nature of the offense and the extent of the harm caused. In cases of electronic blackmail, threats and extortion are among the most serious offenses handled by the courts. Criminals are prosecuted based on the evidence and reports provided by victims, with penalties ranging from long prison sentences, especially if the accused is found guilty of threatening lives or exploiting victims for financial or personal gain.
Challenges in Enforcing the Law in Electronic Blackmail Cases
Despite the presence of legislation aimed at combating cybercrimes, northern Syria faces numerous challenges in effectively enforcing these laws. Among the most significant obstacles is the lack of technical resources required to address cybercrimes, such as the ability to track online activity and identify perpetrators, which remains difficult given the current conditions in the region.
Additionally, a widespread lack of awareness among the population and insufficient knowledge of laws designed to protect them from electronic blackmail contribute to the increase in cybercrimes. Many victims avoid reporting cases due to a lack of knowledge about the legal process or out of fear of social stigma.
Nevertheless, Al-Naasan emphasizes the importance of the legal framework in tackling electronic blackmail in northern Syria. Despite the challenges, the allocation of legal provisions for these crimes is a vital step toward safeguarding individuals and deterring offenders. With greater legal awareness and enhanced technical resources, significant progress can be made in combating this crime, which threatens the well-being of society.
Faten: A Click of a Button Destroyed Her Family Life
Another victim, Faten, a woman in her thirties, had her personal account hacked after she clicked on an unfamiliar link. This led to her personal data and photos being stolen. The blackmailer began sending her stolen photos to her husband, causing severe tensions in their relationship, which eventually led to divorce. Faten recalls, ‘I had no idea that just clicking on a link could destroy my life like this. I thought it would end quickly, but everything spiraled out of control.
Suspicious Applications: The Gateway to Electronic Blackmail in the Aleppo Countryside
Aya Al-Ali emphasizes the critical role of digital awareness, noting that simple preventive steps—such as using strong passwords, enabling two-step verification, and avoiding suspicious links—can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to electronic blackmail. She further adds, “Electronic blackmail is a growing global issue, with the number of reported cases rising steadily. This crime is not limited to a specific place or group; it is spreading everywhere due to weak digital security practices and easy access to personal data.”
Digital Awareness: The Best Defense Against Electronic Blackmail
In the event of being blackmailed, Al-Ali advises victims not to give in to the blackmailer’s demands and to immediately seek help from the relevant authorities. She also recommends consulting digital security experts to protect personal data and deal with blackmail effectively.
Afaf and Faten are not the only victims of electronic blackmail. Hind (a pseudonym by her choice), a woman in her thirties from the eastern countryside of Aleppo, faced a similar ordeal after downloading suspicious applications without realizing the security risks involved.
Hind recalls, “I was searching for free photo-editing apps, completely unaware that one of these apps contained hidden spyware.” Shortly after downloading the app, Hind began receiving threatening messages from an unknown individual demanding a large sum of money in exchange for not releasing her personal photos that had been hacked. Hind adds, “At first, I thought it was just a scam. But when the blackmailer sent me my personal photos, I was absolutely terrified.”
Feeling helpless, Hind turned to digital security experts, who helped her regain control of her accounts and remove the malicious app. However, she admits, “The experience left me deeply shaken.”
Suspicious Apps: An Easy Gateway to Hacking
Aya Al-Ali explains that suspicious apps are a common tactic used by extortionists to gain access to personal data. She warns against downloading untrusted or unfamiliar applications and stresses the importance of reviewing app permissions before installation. Hind’s case highlights how cybercriminals exploit electronic applications to infiltrate devices and steal personal data, underscoring the urgent need for increased digital awareness, particularly with the widespread use of smartphones and apps.
Electronic blackmail is becoming an increasingly serious threat in the digital age. The stories of Afaf, Faten, and Hind are just a few examples of the profound suffering that this crime can cause. As our dependence on technology grows, so does the necessity for digital awareness and the adoption of protective measures to safeguard our personal information. Educating individuals on how to secure their digital presence and providing robust technical and legal support to victims is essential to prevent the recurrence of such tragedies.
