The Nigerian Police Force has warned against sextortion, cyberbullying, character defamation, and blackmail by persons who meet themselves on dating apps.
The spokesperson of the Nigeria Police Force, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, raised the alarm following a recent incident of a man who like many, sought companionship through a dating app.
Adejobi said after months of communication, he agreed to meet a young lady who insisted on visiting his home.
‘’Their encounter resulted in consensual activities. Little did he know that his trust would be betrayed in a most invasive manner.
The individual he met, Opara Joan Chizaram, ‘f’ 26, recorded him without consent during an intimate moment and discreetly captured images of his home surroundings. These actions, conducted in secrecy, were intended to manipulate and exploit the complainant’s trust.”
Adejobi added that subsequently, Ms Opara demanded a significant sum of money from the complainant.
“When the request was not met, she resorted to an alarming and reprehensible act: she threatened to expose private and intimate content, including explicit images and videos of the complainant, with the intent to blackmail him. Upon the complainant’s courageous decision to report this heinous act to the NPF – National Cybercrime Centre (NCCC), investigators took swift action, leading to the arrest of the perpetrator. During the investigation, it was discovered that this was not an isolated incident. The suspect had engaged in similar actions with other individuals she met through the dating app, revealing a disturbing pattern of behaviour,” he said.
He stated that the Nigeria Police Force condemns these acts of sextortion, cyberbullying, character defamation, and blackmail in the strongest terms.
He went on to share guidelines on how people can protect themselves while using dating apps to find love.
‘’Maintain Privacy: Protect your personal information, including your home address, financial details, and intimate content. Do not share sensitive data with individuals you meet online until you are certain of their trustworthiness.
Consent is Key: Always seek and respect explicit consent in any online or offline interactions, especially when it comes to intimate matters.
Trust Your Instincts: If someone’s behaviour raises concerns or seems suspicious, trust your instincts and proceed with caution. It’s perfectly necessary to prioritize your safety and well-being.
Report Suspicious Activity: If you experience or witness any form of cyberbullying, sextortion, or blackmail, do not hesitate to report it to the appropriate authorities. Your action could prevent others from falling victim to such crimes.
Education and Awareness: Stay informed about online safety and educate yourself about potential threats. Awareness is your best defence against cybercrimes.”
