Bigo Live scam exposed after gang members send blackmail messages to officials

A criminal organization that used the Bigo Live application to extort victims was exposed after internal disputes led members to target their leader.

The gang used private images and videos to blackmail individuals, including government officials, while disguising their identities with aliases.

Gang members’ blackmail scheme targets Ankara governor

On July 26, 2022, Ankara Governor Vasip Sahin received a threatening WhatsApp message from an international number.

The message stated: “We have heard that you come from a wealthy family. If you do not send $2,800 (₺100,000) to the IBAN we provided, we will use your information for fraudulent activities.” The sender included an account linked to one of the involved criminals Ali Korun.

Governor Sahin filed a complaint, leading prosecutors to open an investigation. Authorities detained Korun, who denied sending the message. According to Korun, the real culprits were Bigo Live users identified by their aliases “Ahtapot” and “Smooth,” along with two others, Faruk Karaahmetli and Basri Tokgoz.

Korun was released under judicial control, but the threats intensified. On Aug. 24, 2022, Governor Sahin and his family received another message. The sender warned: “Governor Sahin will abandon the case involving Ali Korun. If not, you will all meet your end through us. If you care about the well-being of your children, you will close this file.”

Criminal organization used Bigo Live for blackmail and extortion

Investigators discovered that the gang used the Bigo Live app to collect personal images and videos from victims. They exploited these materials to blackmail individuals for financial gain. The group’s leader, identified as Servet Isik (“Uzun Aga”), and a senior member, Ali Korun (“Zehir”), operated under aliases to avoid detection.

Prosecutors found explicit materials on Isik’s devices, including numerous photos and videos used to target victims. The gang was also found in possession of 21,700 phone numbers from five foreign countries and 500 from Türkiye. They accessed this data through illegal software linked to Türkiye’s national registry, including information about former lawmaker Mehmet Metiner.

Internal disputes among members reveal scam network

On June 13, 2023, prosecutors charged eight individuals in Ankara’s 12th High Criminal Court. The indictment revealed that disputes over financial profits led members Karaahmetli and Tokgoz to conspire against Korun.

The pair sent threatening messages to Governor Sahin and former Adana Police Chief Dogan Inci, naming Korun as the sender to implicate him in criminal activity.

Authorities connected the gang to other blackmail cases, including a July 1, 2022, message targeting Chief Inci. The ongoing investigation has unveiled the group’s extensive operations across Türkiye and their misuse of social media platforms like Bigo Live.

Four members were arrested during the investigation. However, they were released in January 2024. Legal proceedings continue, as the Ankara 12th High Criminal Court examines the case and evaluates the evidence.