CYBERCRIME IN BENIN: Five-Year Prison Sentence Requested for Cybercrime Extortionist at the CRIET
A young Beninese man in his twenties faces serious consequences before the Court for the Repression of Economic Crimes and Terrorism (CRIET). Tried on Monday, July 27, 2026, for blackmailing an American academic, he faces a prosecution request for a five-year prison sentence and a fine of 1 million CFA francs.
It all began when a group of individuals obtained an intimate video of a professor based in Boston (who also had a residence in Benin). The blackmailers demanded $4,000. After negotiations, the victim initially gave in, paying $500, hoping to put an end to the matter.
But the respite was short-lived. Faced with further financial demands, the professor refused to pay. In retaliation, the cybercriminals carried out their threat and published the video directly on his university’s official website, triggering an immediate internal investigation and jeopardizing his career.
Cornered, the academic filed a complaint with the National Center for Digital Investigations (CNIN) in Benin. The investigation led to the tracing of the network and the arrest of several suspects, including the young man who appeared in court this Monday.
In court, the accused proclaimed his innocence:
« I am not the perpetrator, » he declared.
His lawyer strongly denounced the lack of direct physical evidence linking his client to the alleged crimes. This line of defense was rejected by the prosecution, which maintained its request for a prison sentence.
The verdict of the Special Criminal Court (CRIET) is expected in October 2026. This case illustrates once again the firm stance of the Beninese authorities in the face of transnational cybercrime.
Prosper CAKPO
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