Punishment for electronic blackmail
Cyber extortion is one of the most serious cybercrimes threatening individuals and societies in the digital age, and is witnessing increasing prevalence with the rapid development in the use of technology and modern means of communication. In Saudi Arabia, this crime has become a major challenge to social and economic security, as weak-willed people exploit digital vulnerabilities to threaten others and obtain illicit gains, whether material or moral. Based on the Kingdom’s interest in protecting the security of society and ensuring the safety of its members, the state issued strict legislation to combat electronic blackmail crimes, harnessing modern technology to provide effective solutions to this phenomenon. This serious interest by the Saudi authorities demonstrates a commitment to building a secure and prosperous digital society, in line with the Kingdom’s ambitious national vision for digital transformation.
What is the definition of the term electronic blackmail in the Saudi system
Blackmail in the Saudi regime is a crime in which a person threatens another person using means such as photos, videos, or sensitive information with the aim of pressuring him to achieve illegal purposes. These purposes may be diverse, and include obtaining material gains, or forcing him to perform certain actions that serve the interests of the blackmailer.
Punishment for electronic blackmail
The most prominent and widespread types of electronic blackmail in Saudi society
Recently, the crime of electronic blackmail has become an increasing phenomenon in Saudi society, as its forms vary and its danger increases rapidly and alarmingly. This crime is based on exploiting modern technologies to obtain personal information and photos of victims, and then using them as a means to blackmail them in multiple ways. The most prominent types of electronic blackmail that are remarkably widespread in Saudi society are the following:
There are many types of electronic blackmail, and they include different forms aimed at exploiting victims in illegal ways. Below is an arrangement of the types of blackmail with a simplified explanation of each type:
- Sexual blackmail
- Material extortion
- Child blackmail
- Social media blackmail
This type of blackmail occurs when victims’ social media accounts are hacked, private information or photos stored on those accounts are exploited, and victims are then threatened with posting them unless they meet the blackmailer’s demands.
Each of these types poses a serious threat and targets different aspects of victims’ lives, requiring constant awareness and caution when using electronic means.
How to prove exposure to blackmail in the Saudi regime:
When a person is subjected to the crime of blackmail or threats, regardless of the form or type of blackmail, Saudi law allows him to go to the criminal court to file an official lawsuit. This case falls under the category of criminal cases that require precise legal procedures to ensure the preservation of the victim’s rights and punish the perpetrator.
Proof of the occurrence of the crime of extortion:
Proving the crime of extortion is essential in any legal case of this type. The victim must provide sufficient evidence and proof to confirm the occurrence of blackmail or threats, in order to ensure that appropriate penalties are imposed on the perpetrator in accordance with the Saudi legal system.
Punishment for electronic blackmail
Means of proof:
- Documenting electronic conversations: In our digital age, electronic blackmail is one of the most common types. This is where documenting the conversations between the victim and the blackmailer comes in. The victim must film these conversations, focusing on concealing the name of the blackmailer, and must show the number or means by which the call was made. These conversations serve as strong evidence that the court can rely on to prove the threat.
- Witness testimony: In some cases, there may be witnesses to blackmail or threats. These witnesses play an important role in providing testimony that strengthens the victim’s case. However, these witnesses must meet the required legal requirements, such as being reliable and having their testimony comply with the provisions of the Saudi system, which sets precise criteria for accepting testimony in court.
- Additional evidence: Besides conversations and witness testimony, other means of proof can be used such as: A – Text or electronic messages that contain explicit or implicit threats.
b – Electronic links that may contain information related to the crime or be used as a tool for blackmail.
C – Surveillance camera footage if the blackmail took place in a public place or some suspicious behavior was recorded by the blackmailer.
This evidence plays a crucial role in strengthening the victim’s case and increasing the chances of a successful lawsuit. The clearer and more convincing the evidence, the stronger it is in proving the crime in court. Ultimately, the goal of these measures is to protect individuals from exploitation and ensure justice by applying appropriate penalties to extortionists in accordance with the laws of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Punishment for electronic blackmail in Saudi law
In Saudi Arabia, cyber extortion is a serious crime that is strictly punishable by law. The Saudi regime has considered acts of extortion, including electronic extortion, criminal offenses that require the application of legal penalties. To achieve this goal, the Kingdom issued the Anti-Cybercrime System, which aims to protect information security and guarantee the rights and privacy of information network users.
Penalties for electronic blackmail in Saudi Arabia:
Article 3 of the Anti-Cybercrime Law stipulates specific penalties related to electronic blackmail. The penalties for committing the crime of electronic extortion are estimated as follows:
- Prison:
The offender shall be sentenced to imprisonment for up to one year. This punishment reflects the seriousness with which the Kingdom deals with this type of crime, and aims to deter individuals from carrying out any illegal acts that threaten others.
- Financial fine:
The court may impose a fine of up to 500,000 Saudi riyals on the offender. This fine aims to punish the blackmailer financially and ensure that the victim is compensated to some extent for the damages he suffered.
- The two punishments together: In some cases, both penalties can be applied together, meaning the offender may face both imprisonment and a fine.
Application of sanctions:
Penalties include anyone proven to have illegally accessed an information system or network and then used that method to threaten and blackmail the victim. The goal of blackmail can be to force the victim to do or abstain from a certain act, even if that act is legitimate in itself. The focus here is not only on the act the victim is forced to do, but also on the illegal way in which the threat is used to achieve this.
These sanctions seek to provide strong protection for individuals from electronic exploitation and enhance digital security, reflecting the Kingdom’s commitment to confronting extortion crimes and protecting the rights of individuals in cyberspace.
Contact numbers in case of being exposed to the crime of electronic blackmail in the Kingdom?
The authorities responsible for combating cyber extortion crimes in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have set numbers for rapid and direct reporting of exposure to any cybercrime, whether inside or outside the Kingdom, to ensure immediate receipt of professional support and assistance for indigenous citizens, residents, and visitors.
Examples of blackmail complaints include the following numbers:
The unified internal number to combat extortion crimes is: 1909 or via the landline number 00966114908888.
Punishment for electronic blackmail
Lawyer Abdul Majeed Al Rashid’s office provides specialized legal advice and support in extortion cases, and assists those affected in taking legal action to protect their rights.
Some frequently asked questions about electronic blackmail:
What are the pillars of the crime of electronic blackmail in the Saudi regime?
The pillars of the crime of extortion in the Saudi regime are:
- The material element: includes the perpetrator’s illegal entry into the system or network with the aim of threatening and blackmailing the victim to force him to perform a certain act or refrain from an act, even if it is the legitimate act itself.
- Moral element: It includes the criminal intent of the perpetrator, i.e. his intention to commit acts of extortion knowing that they are illegal, and his desire to achieve the criminal result by obtaining some compensation.
.
No comments