Surviving cybercrime

– A social media connection leads to abuse, non-consensual sharing of intimate images

For many people, the arrival of a new year is marked by fireworks, champagne corks, and countdowns to midnight. For one young Guyanese woman, however, the turning of the calendar carried a far heavier meaning. It marked survival. It marked endurance. And, for the first time in years, it marked the possibility of peace.
At 28, Lenese Alexis is a young entrepreneur whose life, for more than two years, was defined not by ambition or growth, but by fear. Fear of being watched. Fear of being followed. Fear that another image, another video, another threat would surface before dawn. When the courts finally brought her former partner’s case to an end weeks ago, the relief was not loud or celebratory. It was quiet, the kind that settles in slowly after prolonged trauma.
Her ordeal began in a way that feels familiar to many modern relationships – online.
She recalls that when she first connected with her ex-partner, 34-year-old Jeremy Smith, nothing suggested what would eventually unfold.
“I first met my now ex on social media [Facebook]. My ex was very kind and soft-spoken – you wouldn’t believe he could’ve raised his voice – caring and so on.”
But that version of him did not last long. Within weeks, the behaviour shifted, subtly at first, then unmistakably.
“A month into the relationship, it’s like you can’t believe it’s the same person who was soft-spoken and kind. He raised his voice for the slightest reasons and got very aggressive.”

Warning signs and abuse
Looking back, Alexis says the warning signs were there, but at the time, she believed patience and understanding would change things.
“They were many warning signs, but I was oblivious and wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt because, like I mentioned, he wasn’t like that in the beginning – which I later found out was just a manipulation tactic at the beginning.”
What followed was a steady escalation, from emotional abuse to stalking, intimidation, and threats that left her constantly on edge.
“He went from bad to worse: stalked, death threats, showing up at my apartment or would be in my neighbourhood in the wee hours of the night, paying people to stalk me, as well to harm me.”
The fear, she says, was consuming.
“It was very frightening and scary. I always had to look over my shoulder and lived in constant fear.”

Non-consensual sharing of intimate images (NCSII
When she made the decision to finally leave the relationship, the retaliation was swift and devastating. Explicit images and videos, taken without her consent, became weapons.
“He sent it to me and told me he was going to post them after I refused to get back with him and he realised I was serious this time. Because, according to him, he told me many times before [that] if he can’t have me, no one will.”
As the images spread online, the emotional toll deepened.
“Words can’t begin to describe or explain the feeling I had and how it affected me emotionally when the pictures and videos were being posted and circulated on different social media platforms and the degrading comments that followed. I felt ashamed, defeated and helpless – just to name a few.”
Despite repeated efforts by friends and supporters to have the content removed, she felt powerless.
“I felt hopeless because there was literally nothing I could’ve done to regain access and shut it down. I literally tried everything; persons were even trying to get it shut down, and to no avail.”
Sleep became impossible. Safety felt uncertain.
“The fear and uncertainty was so bad I got anxiety. I couldn’t sleep because I was afraid if I fell asleep, he, or someone he was paying to stalk me, could’ve showed up and harm me, or fear that he would post something again.”
The moment the images surfaced, Alexis knew silence was not an option.
“The very day he began posting the images and videos, persons began reaching out to me thinking it was me… So since he made the post, I had to let the public know it wasn’t me and he was behind it and they needed to report it.”
Public reaction was mixed, but she remained resolute.
“There were both negative and positive responses and comments from everyone… Yes, they were, but I had to keep fighting.”

Getting help
Her first moment of relief came when police finally intervened.
“I felt relief when the police finally got him and he was arrested.” Even then, the process was long and emotionally draining. It was very challenging due to the fact the case was being dragged out… But I kept praying and trusting in God that it will end one day. I just didn’t know which day.”
She says giving up was never an option, not just for herself, but for other women.
“But in my mind I had no other option but to keep going and to stay strong, not only for me but women past, present or in the future who may have experienced such.”

Abuser on trial
On November 24, Smith was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment and fined $2.5 million after being found guilty of cybercrime charges arising from the illegal dissemination of private images.
During the proceedings, the court was told that the IT technician was charged in July 2024 after his former partner, Alexis, reported that he had unlawfully gained access to her cellular phone and WhatsApp account, where he retrieved several intimate photographs. Prosecutors said the images were later circulated on social media after the relationship ended and Alexis moved on.
Alexis testified that she was forced to file additional complaints with the police, as Smith continued to call and harass her even after she initiated criminal action in relation to the photo leak.
The court further heard that, two years prior to the offence, Alexis had obtained a restraining order against Smith due to repeated threats made against her. It was also disclosed that Smith is implicated in several other similar matters currently before the courts.
Meanwhile, in a related case, Smith’s mother, Ann Smith, was convicted in January of attempting to obstruct the course of justice, after evidence showed that she attempted to conceal her son, Jeremy Smith, from law enforcement officers who were attempting to arrest him in connection with a serious criminal investigation.
When Alexis’s case with Jeremy finally ended, the sense of victory was tempered with realism.
“It’s finally over, and I was happy I didn’t give up. It brought a bit of closure that the case is finally over after so long, but healing and rebuilding my life is still an ongoing process,” she said.

Emotional impact
She claimed that the impact on her mental health was profound, affecting every aspect of her life.
“My mental health has been on the edge many days… Some days I’m happy, then others I was crying my eyes out.”
Alexis said there were moments when hope felt distant.
“Many times I felt like my life was on pause and I just couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel.”
Faith, she says, became her anchor.
“It might sound cliché, but God played a big role in my survival… I fasted, I weep, I prayed…”
With counselling and support, she slowly began to rebuild.
“I did receive, you can say, support and a bit of counselling, and it helped me a lot to keep going and keep my head up.”
Today, Alexis says she is in a better place, mentally, emotionally, and psychologically.
“I’m in a way better place mentally, emotionally and psychologically. I’m stronger too; I’ve started new projects and expanded my interests.”
For her, peace is no longer abstract.
“Peace looks like being able to walk freely without looking over my shoulders, the calmness of my nervous system and not fearing a man, and being free from a toxic and abusive relationship.”
As a new year begins, she hopes her story encourages others to act sooner than she did.
“Make as many reports to the station, speak up, never look down on yourself, just make better decisions.”
And, she says plainly, “Don’t give up; it will get better, and above all, leave at the first red flag.”