India, Oct. 30 -- Sharjah Police have dismantled an international cybercrime gang accused of using malicious photo filters to steal private images from social media influencers and celebrities, then blackmailing victims across 14 countries.

The investigation began with a complaint from just one victim and eventually led police to identify and arrest members of the alleged network, Gulf News reported on October 29.

Lieutenant Colonel Saqr Ahmed, head of the Digital Crimes Section at Sharjah Police, disclosed details of the operation during the Al Shurti programme on Sharjah TV. He said women were among those most frequently targeted.

According to police, the suspects operated behind the facade of an online company offering social media ...