A resident of St. Petersburg reported to the police that an unidentified individual is targeting schoolchildren with extortion. This development was noted by Fontanka in their coverage.
The mother of a 16-year-old student informed law enforcement on September 25 through the VKontakte social network about the alleged incident. According to the woman, the extortionist, who used the alias Yulia Lebedeva, demanded 6.5 thousand rubles in exchange for not publishing intimate photographs of the girl in public spaces. The threat was reinforced by compromising images that belonged to the minor.
The girl complied with the demand and transferred the specified sum. It has also come to light that the victim’s 17-year-old boyfriend contributed money in an effort to shield her privacy.
Authorities are evaluating whether criminal charges should be brought in connection with the case.
There is another reported case in which a young man extorted funds from a 15-year-old for nearly six months; after the demand was refused, the assailant resorted to violence against the teenager.