A simple act of camaraderie turned into a nightmare for an Ivorian student. On March 6, 2026, the Platform for Combating Cybercrime (PLCC) brought to light a case of blackmail involving intimate videos and two young high school students.

The trap: a phone lent out carelessly

It all begins in a classroom. KKSM agrees to lend her smartphone to her classmate, ABI , so he can play a video game. This act of trust, however, triggers a series of traumatic events. While handling the device, the young man manages to access a private video of his classmate.

A vile ultimatum: money or sexual favors

A few days later, the victim began receiving anonymous messages. His contact, who was none other than his own classmate hiding behind an unknown number, sent him the compromising video and initially demanded 50,000 FCFA not to release it.

When the young woman refused, the blackmail took a darker turn. The aggressor changed his demands: he ordered the victim to have sexual relations with one of his friends, under threat of having her reputation publicly destroyed.

The PLCC's intervention and the ensuing legal proceedings

Despite the constant pressure and harassment, KKSM chose not to give in. She filed a complaint with the PLCC. The technical investigation led to the identification and arrest of two suspects: ABI and his accomplice DCI.

What the law says: The two defendants have admitted to the facts. They are now being prosecuted under Law No. 2013-451 of June 19, 2013 for:

1. Illegal possession of sexually explicit data.
2. Threat of publication of sexually explicit data.

Digital vigilance: advice from the authorities

This case serves as a stark reminder about the importance of personal data security. The PLCC reminds users, especially younger ones:

1. Never lend your phone unattended.
2. To protect access to sensitive files with passwords.
3. To immediately report any attempt at cyber blackmail to the relevant authorities rather than suffering in silence.