Behind the Scenes: How Cyber Blackmail Leads to a Cycle of Suicide

As digital threats rapidly evolve, Syrian society finds itself grappling with an escalating psychological and social crisis. Suicide cases among young people are steadily rising, with electronic blackmail emerging as a significant catalyst. Reports from local organizations indicate a worsening crisis, especially in northwestern Syria, where mounting social and psychological pressures have led to a marked increase in suicides

Amal Othman (a pseudonym), a young woman in her twenties displaced from the Damascus countryside to northern Syria, now resides in Sarmada, north of Idlib. She describes her encounter with electronic blackmail as “the worst experience of her life.” Pressured by societal norms, she chose to speak anonymously, yet her story starkly illustrates the devastating toll that electronic blackmail can take on vulnerable individuals

Amal shared her story with *Syrian Women Have a Voice*, recounting how an online acquaintance developed into a romantic relationship filled with promises of marriage and a future together. But those emotional assurances soon turned into a nightmare. Once the young man gained access to her personal photos, his requests intensified, demanding increasingly explicit images in specific clothing and compromising positions.

It wasn’t long before Amal realized she had become “just another victim of cyber blackmail.” Her nightmare escalated as he threatened to publish her photos online if she refused to comply or tried to end the relationship. Trapped between fear of scandal and psychological collapse, Amal was overwhelmed, spiraling into despair. At her lowest point, she attempted suicide, using a shard of glass to cut her wrist. Though she survived, her family remained unaware of the trauma driving her to this extreme.

After the attempt, a close friend encouraged her to seek professional help. Amal eventually turned to a psychological support center in Sarmada, where she began attending therapy sessions. “Cases like Amal’s require immediate mental health intervention,” explains Susan Al-Tawil, a psychosocial support worker in Sarmada

 Syrian regions are seeing a sharp rise in suicide cases driven by economic, psychological, and social pressures. A total of 191 cases—104 suicides and 87 attempts—were recorded across areas under the Syrian regime, eastern Syria, and northwestern Syria. This increase is attributed to factors like poverty, unemployment, domestic violence, and the misuse of technology. While the humanitarian situation worsens, the Syrian Response Coordinators Team stresses that suicide is not the solution, calling for action through psychological rehabilitation centers and awareness campaigns, as stated in their latest report on World Suicide Prevention Day, September 10.

The Impact of Electronic Extortion on Mental Health

Addressing suicide cases linked to exploitation through social media demands a holistic approach that combines psychotherapy with social support, explains Najah Mahmoud, a specialized psychological counselor.

“The most important support in these cases is creating a sense of emotional safety and providing continuous support,” Mahmoud shares. “Alongside this, practical guidance on handling threats and finding adaptive alternatives is crucial for recovery.”

In her interview with us, Mahmoud emphasized that establishing a safe environment and encouraging affected individuals to openly discuss their feelings and experiences are critical first steps on the path to healing. She highlighted cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as an effective method for helping individuals confront suicidal thoughts and develop strategies to cope with mounting psychological pressures. “Awareness about the dangers of online exploitation is as essential as the treatment itself,” she added.

Mahmoud underscored the importance of supporting those who fall victim to this type of extortion. “When someone reaches the point of contemplating suicide due to electronic threats, the involvement of a psychological specialist becomes essential,” she explained.

At that stage, the role of the support provider extends to assessing the person’s psychological state and creating a tailored treatment plan. This often includes psychotherapy sessions, emotional support, and guidance on legal and social resources to help the individual navigate and overcome the crisis.

The Role of Education and Community Awareness:

Technical security expert Ammar Arabini highlights the importance of awareness as a foundation for preventing electronic blackmail. “Awareness is the cornerstone,” he says, emphasizing the need for training workshops and media campaigns, especially among young men and women, to equip them with skills to safeguard themselves online. These efforts, he adds, can spread digital literacy and teach individuals how to respond to blackmail attempts with intelligence and resilience.

Arabini also underscores the value of providing urgent psychological counseling to victims, whether through specialists or dedicated hotlines for psychological emergencies, calling it “extremely important.”

Drawing on his experience in digital security training, he offers a series of recommendations: never submit to blackmail in any form, report incidents to the appropriate authorities, or seek support from trusted individuals. He notes that some NGOs provide secure channels for victims to report incidents without fear of retaliation.

In northern Syria, Arabini emphasizes technical preventive measures to strengthen digital security. Key steps include using strong, unique passwords for each account, enabling two-factor authentication, and securing backup codes for additional protection.

He cautions against rooting devices and stresses the importance of regularly updating operating systems to avoid security vulnerabilities. Additionally, he advises against interacting with suspicious links and attachments and recommends installing antivirus programs and activating firewalls to shield devices from threats.

Arabini further points out the need to adjust privacy settings and avoid sharing sensitive information online. He advises against using public, unsecured Wi-Fi networks, urges reviewing app permissions regularly to prevent unwanted access to private data, and recommends permanently erasing data when selling devices to ensure it cannot be recovered and misused.

How Blackmail Can Drive Victims Toward Suicide?

In the context of Syria—particularly in the northwestern regions—there are no official statistics on suicide cases specifically linked to electronic blackmail. Available data only reflects general suicide numbers without detailing the causes. However, Arab studies examining the psychological and social effects of electronic blackmail suggest that repercussions such as depression, anxiety, and fear of public shame can drive some victims, especially women, to contemplate suicide. These effects are intensified in conservative societies, where the weight of social and psychological pressures can be overwhelming. A study conducted in Sharjah, published in the Journal of Literature, highlights that electronic blackmail can result in severe psychological outcomes, including suicidal ideation, underscoring the profound risks associated with digital exploitation.

Huda” (a pseudonym for privacy) was going about her usual work at a training center in northern Syria, unaware that a single, spontaneous moment would lead her into a harrowing ordeal. Unbeknownst to her, a trainee had taken a photo of her while she worked. Shortly afterward, she discovered that this picture was circulating on a notorious Telegram channel, infamous for defamation and electronic blackmail, where images of women are posted alongside damaging comments and baseless accusations.

When Huda saw the picture paired with harsh phrases aimed at discrediting her, her world seemed to shatter. The channel not only displayed her photo but included personal details—her name, residence, and job description. To Huda, this felt like a sudden stab, especially as she knew many subscribers to the channel were from her region, including people she knew personally. “It felt as though my life was collapsing in front of me,” Huda told Syrian Women Have a Voice.

In that dark moment, Huda struggled with overwhelming thoughts of escape, even considering suicide to end her suffering before the photo spread further. Though she knew such an action was wrong, her psychological state drove her to such extremes.

Psychologist Najah Mahmoud emphasizes that electronic blackmail is far more than a fleeting threat; its impact can destabilize an entire society. In Huda’s case, nearly driven to end her life for fear of scandal, she experienced profound psychological trauma, with severe anxiety and depression leading her to view suicide as her only escape. Mahmoud highlights that such experiences can permanently scar victims, disrupt personal relationships, and even endanger their social and professional futures.

For Huda, the trauma didn’t stop at public defamation; it evolved into financial extortion as well. When her family reached out to the channel’s administrator, he demanded a staggering $15,000 to delete the photo. Unable to meet the demand, they pleaded until he finally agreed to remove the image. Yet, the ordeal’s emotional scars remained. The fallout affected Huda’s professional life too, costing her job and leaving her with a haunting memory that lingered well beyond the immediate crisis

With a voice heavy with pain, Huda recalls how she had once longed for an organization that could provide support, guidance, and a safe path to protect her digital and mental well-being amid the nightmare of blackmail. She had no idea where to turn until she recently learned about the Syrian Center for Drugs Control’ awareness sessions in northern Syria. Motivated, she attended one of these sessions, where she found an environment of encouragement and support for victims of digital violence. For the first time, she felt brave enough to share her experience openly, marking an initial step in facing her fears and beginning her journey of healing.

Huda’s experience serves as a stark example of the damaging impact digital blackmail can have on women in Syrian society, particularly in the absence of adequate psychological and technical support systems. Her story underscores the pressing need to intensify awareness efforts, provide victims with the necessary resources, and empower them to confront their fears, allowing them to rebuild their lives with confidence and security.

Strengthening Laws and Legislation to Combat Digital Violence

Digital security trainer Ammar Arabini emphasized the urgent need for unified action to tackle the growing issue of electronic blackmail, which has become a relentless invasion of individuals’ privacy.

Speaking to the “Syrian Women Have a Voice” platform, Arabini highlighted that solutions exist but require a concerted effort from authorities, communities, and tech institutions. He underscored that governments must enforce stricter laws against electronic blackmail, imposing severe penalties and ensuring that victims have the right to report safely, free from threats or retaliation.

Arabini added that communities play a critical role in this fight by spreading awareness—one of the most powerful defenses—through educational and media platforms that educate people on the importance of safeguarding their digital privacy.

Victim Support and Rehabilitation:

The technical expert emphasized that awareness should be straightforward and integrated into daily life, achievable through accessible workshops and lectures. He argued that society must shift its perspective on victims of electronic blackmail, recognizing them not as culprits but as exploited individuals in need of support, not judgment.

He added that tech-focused institutions have a critical role to play, urging them to enhance security systems and establish easy, secure reporting platforms for blackmail incidents.

The expert highlighted the need for comprehensive psychological and legal support for victims: “Support centers should provide both legal and psychological protection, accessible to everyone and preferably at minimal or no cost. When victims feel supported on all fronts, they gain the resilience to confront the crisis and rebuild their lives.”

Electronic blackmail is a pressing challenge for Syrian society, worsening psychological distress and often leading to tragic outcomes, including suicide. Without adequate psychological support, many victims remain trapped in cycles of fear and anxiety. Governments and local communities must work together, enacting stringent laws and fostering awareness on digital risks, to create a safer, more supportive environment. Through these collective efforts, we can aspire to reduce suicide rates and bring positive change to countless lives.