Police charge Man in Qaladze for blackmailing hundreds of women through messaging apps

SULAYMANIYAH — A man has been arrested in Qaladze, a district within Sulaymaniyah’s Raparin autonomous administration, for blackmailing hundreds of women using mobile messaging apps including Viber, WhatsApp, and Snapchat, according to a statement issued Saturday by Raparin Police.

“He sent messages to every woman and girl who came into his contacts,” police said. “Hundreds of women were deceived. They told us he promised them job opportunities. But his real goal was to get their pictures and personal information.”

Authorities say the suspect had stored hundreds of images of women and girls on his mobile phone.

The police said the suspect used social media to falsely offer job opportunities as a medical secretary or pharmaceutical assistant—despite having no professional or academic qualifications.

“In his advertisements, he shared his personal mobile number and later used it to communicate through social media apps,” police said. “He tricked hundreds of women into sending photos and personal details.”

After his arrest, the man confessed to the charges and admitted to carrying out the activity since 2019.

“He admitted to sending photos of other people to women to avoid being exposed,” police said. Upon seizing his phone, officers discovered hundreds of images of women. The suspect had used Snapchat, Viber, and WhatsApp to engage in conversations, request personal content, and demand money.

Following his confession to both police and the court, he was charged under Article 456 of the Iraqi Penal Code. Raparin Police confirmed the man is a resident of the Raparin autonomous administration.