The National Security Directorate announced the arrest of one of those involved in electronic blackmail crimes in Basra Governorate, as part of a security campaign that resulted in the arrest of nine blackmailers in a number of governorates.

The Directorate stated in a statement that the accused was impersonating a woman on social networking sites, and luring his victims into fake romantic relationships, before asking them to open the video camera, so that he could photograph them without their knowledge. She added that the accused would later contact the victims again, claiming that he was the woman's husband, threatening them with legal and tribal measures, which would force them to pay sums of money for fear of scandal.

The National Security Directorate confirmed that legal measures were being taken against the accused, stressing the continuation of its campaigns to pursue extortion networks and protect society from these crimes.