As we enter the new year, we expect to see a rise in various digital threats. One particular trend is gaining momentum and will likely become a significant concern for many; while not new, it may pose financial and moral challenges in 2025. We are speaking about digital, internet blackmail, which is gradually emerging as a nationwide problem.

The primary forms of  digital blackmail in Armenia

• The oldest and most traditional version of this scam has been around for at least ten years. It typically targets men lured by unknown foreign women through social networks or messaging apps. These women engage in conversations and eventually offer to participate in virtual sex via video calls, which are recorded. After the call, they demand money with the threat of sending the recorded video to the victim’s friends, family, or acquaintances.
• Less common: the scam described in the previous point is used against women by foreign men.
• A unique shaming movement began a few years ago, initiated by Armenians in the Diaspora. Several Telegram channels were created to shame Armenian girls who dared to post photos of themselves in swimsuits. According to the administrators of these channels, such actions disgraced the entire Republic, the Armenian nation, and even humanity in the eyes of the universe. Over time, these discriminatory channels turned into a business, offering girls the option to pay money to avoid having their photos published.
• Another widespread method hackers use is to compromise personal accounts, which is particularly prevalent on Instagram among young people. The hacker typically accesses the victim’s messages and searches for sensitive emails and intimate pictures shared with others. They then demand money from the victim in exchange for not releasing this private information.

Now, the whole thing has evolved further. Cyber ​​blackmailers use artificial intelligence to create pornographic videos and pictures with human faces and demand money in exchange for not publishing them.

An alternative method that has gained significant traction over the past year is the publication of images of individuals along with offensive language. In these cases, criminals threaten to expose these images unless they receive payment to remove them.

In all the scenarios mentioned above, the extortion amounts demanded by the criminals range from 200,000 to 300,000 drams. Furthermore, once a victim pays, it becomes evident that they are emotionally dependent on these transactions, leading the criminals to demand more money.

This issue, which was once relatively uncommon, has become widespread in Armenia, primarily because individuals opt to pay the criminals.

Unfortunately, seeking help from law enforcement agencies isn’t a viable solution in these cases, as quick detection is objectively difficult. Moreover, many incidents involve criminals who are not even in Armenia.  

Another significant issue is that some social networks are either unresponsive to complaints or take a long time to act, especially when it comes to blocking groups involved in cyber blackmail. Telegram and TikTok are among the least responsive platforms, so cyber blackmailers often prefer using them.

The best approach for those facing blackmail is not to pay the criminals at all. Paying them increases your dependence on them and leads to demands for more payments in the future. Additionally, it reinforces and encourages this detrimental practice.

A unanimous public approach to addressing this issue is encouraging victims to report cyber-blackmail cases. The public must take a stand against such behavior and not tolerate it. Currently, there is no other effective solution. Victims should not be subjected to blackmail, and the public should refrain from encouraging, watching, or sharing such harmful materials.

The views expressed in the column are those of the author's and do not necessarily reflect the views of Media.am.