Hazim Al-Mutairi Okaz/Saudi Gazette RIYADH — A conman who was recently arrested by the Commission for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (the Hai'a) in Riyadh was found to have a long history of extortion, illicit seclusion “khilwa” and alcohol abuse according to sources at the Hai'a. The man was also implicated in blackmailing more than 400 girls. He has been handed over to the concerned authorities for completion of legal procedures, sources at the Hai'a stated. A blackmailing victim, sources said, reported to the Hai'a that the man asked her to bring him gold and money. A trap was set up and the man was caught red-handed. The Hai'a, sources said, deals with blackmailing cases confidentially. A report by the Anti-Cyber Crime Dept. at the Ministry of Interior indicates that the ages of the girls normally targeted by blackmailers vary between 18 and 27. As per the Cyber Crimes bylaw every instance of extortion by a blackmailer is punishable indicating that this swindler is expected to be sentenced to 5 years in prison and fined SR500,000. The sources once again cautioned women against sending personal data and pictures over the phone as there are many who use their guile to trap unsuspecting women and manipulate their innocence to their advantage. A few days ago the Hai'a field patrols unit in Riyadh spotted a car parked in a deserted area late at night and found a young man in his 30s with a woman in an immoral position. Investigations proved that they were in an illicit seclusion.
