A resident of the Lviv region has been detained for extorting 5,000 USD from a woman by threatening to spread her intimate photos.
According to the investigation, the 39-year-old man demanded money from a 30-year-old woman he had a close relationship with. He threatened to distribute her intimate photos online by creating a fake TikTok account. The woman feared being discredited in the eyes of her family and colleagues.
The man initially demanded 15,000 USD, but later agreed to 5,000. He systematically pressured the woman by threatening her with physical harm. The woman approached law enforcement, who monitored the situation.
In February, the woman met with the man to hand over the money. He threatened her by brandishing what appeared to be a traumatic gun. After receiving the money, the man was detained by law enforcement.
He has been charged with demanding the transfer of another’s property with the threat of violence (part 4 of article 189 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). The incident of inflicting bodily harm on a police officer is also being investigated (part 2 of article 345 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). The suspect is being held in custody without the possibility of bail.