Baku — September 3, 2025.
Azerbaijani law enforcement has detained a 22-year-old man accused of running a cyber-extortion scheme that targeted women through social media platforms, including TikTok and Instagram.
According to the Interior Ministry’s Cybercrime Department, the suspect, identified as Rashad Mammadov, used specialized software to alter photos and videos of his victims, adding inappropriate audio effects and misleading context. He then created fake social media profiles using the doctored material.
Investigators said Mammadov would contact the victims, alert them to the existence of these fake accounts, and threaten to further spread the fabricated content unless they paid money for its removal.
A criminal case has been launched, and Mammadov has been placed in pre-trial detention while the investigation continues. Authorities are working to identify additional victims linked to the scheme.
The Cybercrime Department noted that it conducts regular monitoring of online platforms to prevent similar offenses and urged citizens to report suspicious activity.
