AlbKings Telegram group administrators blackmail women and girls with deepfake images and personal data, leading to seven arrests

Summary

Administrators of the 'AlbKings' Telegram group engaged in blackmail by sharing derogatory videos, 'deepfake' images, and personal information of women and girls. The group’s leader, F.P., known as “The Leader,” earned approximately 2,300 euros through blackmail payments in US dollars and cryptocurrency via PayPal. The group, which had over 100,000 members, operated for 15 months and shared explicit content and personal data, including the phone number of a BIRN journalist. Another administrator, E.N., threatened a victim, demanding explicit images and warning that he had committed serious crimes and had no sympathy. E.N. claimed he tried to help the victim by intervening to delete images, though they had already been shared. Following a report by BIRN in May 2024, seven individuals were arrested for their roles in distributing degrading content and personal information of victims.