Algeria: 19 officials threatened on Facebook

A total of 19 senators and State officials were blackmailed and threatened on social media websites during January, February and March in return for a job or money.

Figures show that three members of the Senate, four of the People’s National Assembly, five mayors, seven health directors and central directors were blackmailed on the Internet. Their personal secrets were published as cyber-criminals used their images, videos and even documents and short texts to put pressure on them in return for a job or money.

Investigations show that 14 minors, 82 persons aged between 19 and 30 and 78 others aged more than 30 were involved in the crime of threatening, blackmailing and publishing personals secrets on social media websites. Of them, Facebook has the lion’s share as more than 85 percent of those crimes were perpetrated on this network.

According to the same source, the criminals are smart and do not use force. A total of 28 women were involved in an attempt to blackmail victims in return for money.