Dear Editor,
The international nature of cyber extortion highlights the necessity for collaborative efforts among nations to bring perpetrators to justice, often through extradition.
The United States regularly requests from the Government of Guyana the extradition of individuals who are suspected or convicted of offences against US law. Notably, the US has successfully sought the extradition of numerous individuals worldwide for the crime of cyber extortion.
Under Guyanese law, and through bilateral agreements, cyber extortion is an extraditable offence for individuals residing in the US to threaten to publish personal electronic data that could cause personal embarrassment in order to extort a benefit. Alarmingly, well-known social media personalities residing in the US have published, and threatened to publish, the personal data of Guyanese citizens with the clear intent of ridiculing and embarrassing them.
While the motivation behind these publications, whether for financial or other benefits, may be known only by the victims, the noticeable withdrawal of certain personal attacks suggests that these retractions resulted from successful extortion attempts.
It is incumbent upon the Government of Guyana to protect its citizens from such devastating attacks, even when the perpetrators reside outside the country.
Extradition arrangements are built on the principle of reciprocity. However, it seems our Government is hesitant to pursue the extradition of individuals accused of these crimes. Cyber extortion is a global issue that demands prompt and decisive action.
Sincerely,
Nutana Singh
