Taiz -- Security forces in Taiz, Yemen, have opened a wide-ranging investigation into a cyber extortion network accused of luring young men and women through social media platforms and exploiting them for financial and personal gain. The probe follows multiple complaints and alarming reports of digital blackmail, leaked private content, and threats against victims.

According to the Criminal Investigation Department in Taiz, at least seven suspects have been arrested in connection with two separate extortion cases. Authorities say the network used fake online identities to build trust with victims before coercing them into sharing sensitive photos and videos, which were later used to demand money or silence.

One of the suspects reportedly fled to areas under militia control after leaking private content online, prompting concerns about cross-regional coordination and the difficulty of enforcing justice across divided territories. Investigators are working to gather digital evidence and trace communication patterns to dismantle the broader network.

Human rights organizations and digital rights advocates have warned that cybercrime is on the rise in Yemen, especially among vulnerable youth who lack awareness of online safety and legal protections. A recent report by the SAM Organization for Rights and Liberties highlighted the urgent need for digital literacy campaigns and stronger legal frameworks to combat online abuse.

The Taiz police have urged citizens to report suspicious online activity and avoid sharing personal content with unknown contacts. They also called on families and schools to educate young people about the risks of digital exploitation.

As the investigation continues, authorities say they are committed to protecting victims and prosecuting offenders, despite the challenges posed by Yemen’s fragmented security landscape and limited cybercrime infrastructure.