Dozens of men in Israel who believed they were in romantic chats with women on Telegram were allegedly trapped in a sophisticated extortion scheme that brought in about 500,000 shekels before it was exposed. The suspects threatened to send intimate conversations and embarrassing personal details to the victims’ wives and families unless they paid immediately.
Police said five suspects, aged 22 to 29, from central and northern Israel, were arrested after an investigation into extortion and violence against dozens of civilians. According to the allegations, the group created dating platforms on Telegram, pretended to be women, and drew victims into what they thought were genuine relationships. Some of the men were in committed relationships, and the suspects then lured them into intimate meetings before demanding money.
When the victims refused, the suspects allegedly threatened to publish private information and expose the chats to relatives. The case was uncovered after a months-long investigation by the Israel Police’s Ayalon District anti-crime unit in the Tel Aviv District. Investigators say the evidence showed dozens of victims had been caught in the network.
After collecting the evidence, police raided the suspects’ homes, arrested them, and seized three vehicles believed to have been used in the fraud and extortion, along with phones used to deliver the threats. The investigation was handled with the Tel Aviv District Prosecutor’s Office. A court has extended the suspects’ remand, a prosecution notice was filed on Thursday, and formal indictments are expected in the coming days on charges including extortion by threats, conspiracy to commit a crime, unauthorized access to computer material, publishing an humiliating image, and privacy violations.
