KAMPALA – The Police Cyber Crime Unit are hunting for criminals who obtain money from prominent people after manipulating their photographs as nudes.
The Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson SP Patrick Onyango revealed that police have received over 100 complaints from among others lawyers, doctors, members of parliament, business people claiming that unknown persons sent them photoshopped photographs showing them in compromising positions.
Mr Onyango said the illegal practices have gained momentum that on Wednesday, April 28, 2020, the unit registered three cases from members of parliament.
“Our cyber crime teams are still investigating the allegations and we are closing on the suspects, ” he said in a statement dated April 30.
He explained that the criminals get nude photographs from the internet and use computer applications to photoshop them to appear as if their victims were having sexual intercourse on camera.
“After manipulating their victims’ photographs, the criminals call or send them the photoshopped photographs and demand money lest they publish them on social media or give to the media, ” said Onyango.
According to Mr Onyango, the criminals are demanding money ranging from $1000 to $ 10,000.
“Some unsuspecting victims have paid the money to the criminals while others have refused to yield to the threats and reported to police, ” reads an excerpt.
He appealed to the public to be on the lookout for the criminals and urged them not to yield to their demands.
“As soon as they contact you, please call police immediately,” he said.
Mr Onyango noted that the cyber crime unit have been tasked with the duty to monitor, analyse and look for the criminals to have them arrested and prosecuted.
