Translated from Arabic.
We understand how difficult your situation is, and we want to reassure you that the laws in the Kingdom treat a blackmail victim as a victim, and that the competent authorities give these reports special attention and handle them confidentially. The Anti-Cybercrime Law criminalises threats and blackmail through technical means to force a person to do or refrain from doing something, criminalises invading private life and defamation, and sets penalties of imprisonment and fines for the offender.
As for your fear of liability, as a rule the investigating authorities focus on the blackmailer and his criminal act. The fact that the photos were sent earlier with your consent does not give him the right to use them and does not justify threatening you. It is usually delaying the report or continuing to pay that increases the harm.
We advise you to take the following steps:
1. Stop transferring any money immediately, do not enter into negotiations or make counter-threats, and do not send any more photos.
2. Do not delete the conversations or block the account before documenting them. Keep screenshots of the messages and threats, the account name and link, and the bank transfer receipt.
3. File a report through the Public Security "Kollona Amn" app, by calling the unified emergency number, or by going to the nearest police station. The case can later be followed up with the Public Prosecution.
4. Inform your bank of the transfer you made, as this may help the investigating authorities trace the recipient.
5. Use the reporting tools within the app itself to report the blackmailer's account, and enable privacy settings and two-factor authentication on your accounts.
After the report is filed, the security authorities investigate and identify the offender. The case is then referred to the Public Prosecution and from there to the Criminal Court, and you are entitled to claim your private right, recover what you paid and seek compensation for the harm you have suffered.
We stress that the outcome of every case depends on its circumstances and evidence, and no particular course can be guaranteed in advance. The KSA Lawyers team therefore recommends consulting a lawyer specialising in cybercrime to review the conversations and documents and to accompany you through the reporting process and the pursuit of your rights.