Online Blackmailer Arrested for Impersonating Woman, Extorting Men

Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have apprehended a 22-year-old man, Malik Opeyemi, for allegedly impersonating a woman online to lure and blackmail unsuspecting men.

The suspect, arrested in Oyo State and transferred to Lagos, reportedly extorted over ₦4 million from more than 30 victims since January 2025.

According to a statement from the Lagos State Police Command, Opeyemi posed as a woman on social media platforms to initiate intimate video calls with men. Once the victims were undressed, he would secretly record the calls and use the footage to demand money under threat of exposure.

The suspect’s arrest on May 16 followed a complaint from one of the victims at the Area F Command in Ikeja. Swift police investigations led detectives to his location in Oyo State, where he was taken into custody.

Further investigation revealed that Opeyemi charged a ₦25,000 “subscription” fee for access to what he claimed were private nude contents.

Two smartphones, an Itel and a Samsung, were recovered during the arrest. Forensic analysis of the devices uncovered numerous explicit images of different victims.

Meanwhile, the suspect has been charged to court.

Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, reaffirmed the Command’s dedication to fighting cybercrime, urging Lagosians to exercise caution in their digital interactions and report suspicious activity. He emphasised that the police remain committed to protecting residents from online exploitation and ensuring justice for victims.