Telegram nude content case: suspects demanded money, sexual favors from victims
Initial findings in the investigation indicate that the channel, called “The Leaks” garnered 534 subscribers
Press conference hosted by the Police Cyber Crime Department
The three suspects involved in the Telegram nude content case, demanded money and sexual favors from their victims.
This was revealed by the Maldives Police Service (MPS) during a press conference the Cyber Crime Center hosted on Thursday.
At the presser, MPS provided the updates on the operation conducted by the Police Cyber Crime Center regarding the case of creating numerous channels on Telegram and posting nude photos and videos of various people from the Maldives and abroad for financial gain.
Speaking at the presser, Inspector of Police Azeef Abbas revealed that they analyzed the channels, investigated how they were operated, gathered information on photos and videos posted on the channels for investigation, obtained court orders within legal bounds, and acquired information from other relevant agencies in connection with the case that was reported to authorities.
Initial findings in the investigation indicate that the channel, called “The Leaks” garnered 534 subscribers and posted 350 nude photos and 2,400 exploitative videos.
He stressed that exploitative content of minors was posted on this channel.
Azeef cited the biggest concern being that photos of minors were posted with their personal information visible.
Further, he highlighted that when Nasif Ali was arrested in connection with the case among the financial transactions and involved parties, officers who searched his mobile device found several inappropriate content as well as financial transactions.
These channels and conversations with multiple people have confirmed that Zubair was deeply invested in attempts to obtain inappropriate content of minors. Azeef said as Zubair was carrying out these appalling acts, the victims had reached out to him and requested to remove the pictures. However, Zubair had wrongly demanded money from them.
Zubair is also to have requested sexual favors from the victims when they reached out to him to remove the posts.
Taking these factors into consideration, the police have arrested Zubair.
The case of creating numerous channels on Telegram to post and profit from nude photos and videos of several from the Maldives as well as abroad is currently under further investigation and the Cyber Crime Center has conducted a special operation and arrested three individuals so far.
Three individuals have been arrested in connection with the case; Zubair Ali, 45, native to Mahibadhoo island of Alif Dhaal atoll, Naasif Ali, 46, native to capital Malé City and Ismail Zabeeh, 29, native to Kaashidhoo island of Kaafu atoll.
MPS revealed that they searched 14 digital electronic devices related to the case. In addition to this, nine Telegram accounts created under the names of the suspect have been seized and brought under police control. MPS has also seized and brought 571 channels containing nude content, under their control.
According to the police institution, their findings indicate that these channels have posted 241,651 photos and 86,618 videos showing nude content of Maldivian women, including photos and videos of minors.
The investigation has also revealed that 43 channels were operated to post photos and videos showing nude content of minors.
It has been found that 34,680 people have subscribed to these channels by paying money, and the suspects in this case have illegally earned about MVR two million in subscription fees.
At a time this appalling case has made the spotlight, authorities have urged the public to adhere to decent behaviors and become a responsible person with consideration to the privacy of others, in order to prevent falling victim to such undesirable acts.
