An inquiry was opened into two individuals accused of pressuring a user of a dating platform to send money under threats of harm. The Civil Guard reported this development on a Friday, outlining the allegations and the steps taken so far in the investigation.
The suspects are a 39-year-old woman and a 21-year-old man. Both are residents of the municipality of Santiago de Compostela, while the alleged victim is a 30-year-old resident of Mairena del Aljarafe, Seville. The proximity of their locations underscores how online platforms can connect people who are geographically distant yet intimately involved in criminal schemes, contributing to the modern risk landscape that authorities continually monitor (Civil Guard).
The case traces back to December 2021, when the man began receiving threats delivered through calls and text messages from an individual who claimed to be harassing his daughters. The messages were tied to the use of the dating portal, implying that the suspect exploited the platform as a conduit for intimidation. The victim recounted that the aggressor employed fear to coerce compliance, using frightening scenarios to create a sense of danger for his family and to pressure payments (Civil Guard).
As the threats intensified, the man complied with an initial demand to transfer 2,000 euros. Yet the intimidation did not stop there. The assailant then demanded an additional 3,000 euros, intensifying the pressure and the perceived urgency of the situation. Facing ongoing extortion and the emotional strain of the threats, the victims decided to report the conduct to the authorities, seeking protection and a formal investigation into the extortion scheme (Civil Guard).
Officials documented that the threats often referenced harm to family members, including kidnapping or death, with explicit messages promising severe repercussions if the requested payments were not made. These details illustrate the psychological manipulation tactics used by the suspects to create a sense of immediacy and fear, aiming to bypass rational assessment and trigger quick financial concessions (Civil Guard).
Following a thorough investigation, investigators were able to identify the individuals allegedly responsible for the extortion. The case file was subsequently forwarded to the Seville Court of Cassation for further proceedings, marking a formal transition from police inquiry to judicial action. The progression of the case highlights the collaborative process between law enforcement, prosecutors, and the judiciary in handling online crime that crosses regional boundaries, ensuring that victims receive recourse and that alleged offenders are held accountable (Civil Guard).