Spanish Woman Held for AI-Driven Sextortion Scheme Targeting Over 300 Men

Sextortion Scheme Unveiled

Spanish police arrested the woman in the Basque town of Azkoitia, near San Sebastian, as part of Operation Curves. Authorities claim she blackmailed more than 300 men across Spain, threatening to release intimate images they had shared with her unless they paid large sums of money. Over an eight-month period, she reportedly made £13,500 from her crimes, although many victims have not filed formal charges.

Exploiting Technology for Personal Gain

According to police, the woman used limited resources—a smartphone, a photo montage app, and a selfie illumination device—to create fake, AI-generated images of herself. She presented herself on social media with a fabricated body, gaining the trust of her victims before coaxing them into sending intimate pictures. Once the images were received, she threatened to expose them to the victims' families and friends unless they paid her.

Modus Operandi and Investigation Findings

Police found evidence of her activities on her phone, including 3,500 conversations across various messaging and social media platforms. Initially, she posed as a prostitute, tricking men into paying for services that she never provided. She later shifted to creating private sex channels, again charging for access, before finally resorting to sextortion. Police also uncovered evidence of payments made to her bank accounts, with transaction details such as "Sending per agreement to stop threat" and "Erase please."

Impact of the Scheme

Despite using basic technology, the woman's ability to manipulate her victims was remarkable. Authorities now hope that the arrest will bring some justice to the men affected by her scheme.