Israeli Police Officer Charged with Sexual Harassment and Extortion Using Police Databases

The Police Investigations Department filed charges on Monday against 29-year-old police officer Samer Sheikh from Abu Snan. He faces multiple allegations including sexual harassment, indecent acts, extortion by threats, privacy violations, impersonation, fraud, and breach of trust. The indictment, submitted to the Haifa District Court by attorney Sivan Shpeizer, details how Sheikh exploited his access to police databases over several years to unlawfully extract personal information about women and their families.

Sheikh, an officer in the Yarkon Traffic Division, allegedly created fake social media profiles under various identities, sometimes using names and photos of other women. Through these accounts, he repeatedly made sexual advances, sent pornographic content to the women and their relatives, and threatened to harm their privacy and reputation. In some cases, he used intimate photos and videos obtained from the victims to coerce them into complying with his sexual or financial demands.

The indictment describes how Sheikh accessed police information systems without work-related reasons to gather personal data and store images on his devices. He also sent pornographic videos to victims’ family members, falsely claiming the women appeared in them. Despite clear refusals and warnings that complaints would be filed, he continued to harass and threaten the women via his fake profiles.

Among the 15 documented incidents, one involved Sheikh exploiting a prior sexual relationship with a victim lasting about two months. He secretly recorded full-screen captures of their video calls and later used these recordings to threaten her through a fake account. He also sent intimate content to her brother and fiancé to pressure her. In another case, he proposed paying a woman for sex and sent false messages and pornographic videos to her brother, claiming she was involved in sexual activities.

The charges highlight a pattern of abuse of power and trust by a police officer who weaponized his official access to intimidate and exploit women and their families.