Women in Debt Trapped by Blackmail

How Debt Becomes a Digital Snare in Egypt

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Sahar Azazzy
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04 March 2026
صورة لخلفية التحقيق

The image was created using AI

This report documents how debt and criminal records in Egypt are weaponized for digital extortion against indebted women and formerly incarcerated debtors . Laws exist to protect them from defamation and blackmail, yet many hesitate to file complaints. Once their names appear in Egypt’s official criminal databases [known locally as the “system”] their past convictions resurface — even if they have served their sentences or were acquitted. Suddenly, a complainant can find herself transformed into the accused.

A WhatsApp message and a phone call were enough to persuade Iman Abdullah (a pseudonym) to go immediately to the office of a lawyer who held signed trust receipts in her name [known in Egypt as eisalat amanah, legally binding IOUs that carry criminal liability]. He claimed he would waive the remaining receipts to prevent her return to prison — but the meeting took a far darker turn.

Iman says: “He tried to assault me. I pushed him and ran. I didn’t do anything — I was weak at that moment — but I left shattered.” She adds: “It’s my fault. I put myself in this position. Some people think a woman in debt is desperate, that she might do anything to settle her debts… even if it means trading one thing for another.”

The scene is etched in the memory of this woman in her forties, as if it happened yesterday. Bitterly, she recalls the moment the lawyer propositioned her in exchange for the remaining receipts, exploiting her fear of returning to prison. She fled to preserve her dignity, telling him firmly: “No. Send me to jail.”

Image:The investigation background

When Daughters Pay the Price

Blackmail often extends beyond women in debt, reaching those around them — as is the case with Iman. After a dispute, her daughter became the target of a classmate’s hostile campaign. Groups were created on Messenger and Instagram, dozens of students added, and harsh messages sent, driving Iman’s daughter into isolation. She feared ridicule and taunts about her mother being “an ex-convict,” alongside ongoing threats.

The situation escalated and spread across the school. The mother was unable to file a police report or formally document the incident to protect her daughter, so she sought help from lawyer Nora Ibrahim, who contacted parents in an effort to halt the smear campaign. According to her mother, the girl slipped into a depressive episode.

Ahmed Hijab, a digital safety expert, says women in debt — and sometimes their daughters — are exposed to blackmail, which can escalate into sexual coercion by holders of trust receipts, particularly amid the growing spread of digital violence and extortion across different segments of society.

Hijab adds: “This amounts to human trafficking, as victims are exploited and pressured because of their circumstances. The pressure may involve photos, videos, or debts. They are a vulnerable group exploited in multiple ways.”

Ongoing Blackmail

It did not end there. The same lawyer resumed blackmailing Iman after she discovered her signature had been forged, despite settling the remaining debt. He summoned her to his office again and attempted to assault her a second time. She resisted, crying bitterly: “I told him, ‘You want to imprison me? Then imprison me.’” After that, she waited, expecting at any moment to be returned to a cell, as Iman recounts.

Despite everything, Iman did not file a report against the lawyer. She feared that once her name entered the “system” her prior conviction would surface again, even though she was the victim this time.

A Stain That Won’t Fade: When the Husband Becomes the Abuser

Iman is not an isolated case. Other women imprisoned for debt share similar experiences, often worsening after their release. Their fragile financial situations are exploited, and social stigma continues to follow them even after they have served their sentences or been acquitted.

Society does not always acknowledge their innocence. Labels like ‘ex-convict’ or ‘with a criminal record’ stick to them, becoming tools of pressure in the hands of perpetrators. In some cases, the perpetrator is the closest person to them: the husband himself.

Abir Hassan (a pseudonym) was one of the victims of this exploitation. Her husband had secretly installed a camera in their bedroom, capturing photos and videos of her. When she later sought a divorce after he stopped providing financial support, he demanded money in exchange for keeping the recordings private. He continued to blackmail her, exploiting the fact that she had spent three years in prison after being unable to repay debts that mounted when her business collapsed. He would taunt her, saying, “You’re a woman with a record.”

He did not stop at blackmailing her or circulating the videos among her sisters. He went even further—stealing her mobile phone and using it to send the photos and clips to people she knew via Facebook and WhatsApp, in an attempt to shield himself from legal consequences. “So that, before the authorities, it would look as though I had sent them from my own phone,” she recalls.

It wasn’t only her request for a divorce that enraged him. After taking their daughter and forcing her to turn to the police to get her back, he began plotting his revenge: he filmed her and then beat her. “I was put in a cast and went to stay with my family,” Abir says. “Then the threats started… he exposed me to everyone, showing my videos to people wherever he could.”

“Inadequate” Laws

Even when cases are documented, many victims hesitate to complain, despite laws criminalizing blackmail and threats. Article 327 of Egypt’s Penal Code (Law No. 58 of 1937) states that anyone who threatens another person in writing with a crime against life or property — punishable by death, life, or aggravated imprisonment — or threatens to disclose or falsely allege matters harming someone’s honour, faces imprisonment if the threat is accompanied by a demand or by the instruction to commit an act. If the threat is not accompanied by a demand or instruction, the penalty is detention.

Similarly, Article 25 of Egypt’s Anti-Cyber and Information Technology Crimes Law (Law No. 175 of 2018) criminalizes violations of what it describes as “family principles or societal values,” as well as infringements of privacy. The provision also covers the mass sending of electronic messages without consent and the publication—online or through other information technology tools—of information, news, images, or similar material that violates a person’s privacy, regardless of whether the content is true or false. The penalty is imprisonment for at least six months. A fine ranging from 50,000 to 100,000 Egyptian pounds may also apply, or both penalties.

The reality, however, tells a different story. Mohamed Farhat, a lawyer and member of UNESCO’s Global Network of Experts on AI Ethics and the Rule of Law, says women jailed over debt are among the groups most vulnerable to online blackmail and sexual exploitation. Yet many are reluctant to pursue legal action, fearing that filing a complaint could expose their prior conviction—ultimately compounding the problem rather than resolving it.

Lawyer Nora Ibrahim, director of the White Page project—an initiative that works to restore the reputations of formerly incarcerated women and help clear their criminal records—says: “The violations of privacy addressed in Article 25 of Law 175 are, in practice, effectively unchecked when it comes to formerly incarcerated debtors. A prior conviction and the stigma attached to it give perpetrators a sense of impunity; they feel assured the victim will never file an official report. The idea of resisting—or even pushing back—often feels impossible, particularly when the harassment comes from a neighbour who provides financial support, leaving her little choice but silence.”

She adds that this group has a particular vulnerability stemming from the stigma of prior convictions, even after their sentences have been served. “When a debtor who has served a prison sentence is subjected to digital abuse, she is far less likely to report it to the authorities,” she explains, “for fear that her name will once again appear in official databases… making it harder for her to assert her rights.”

The System is the Biggest Obstacle

The problem runs deeper than the law acknowledges. Criminal convictions remain on official criminal records unless the women themselves take steps to have them removed. Yet many lack the knowledge or guidance needed to navigate the process of clearing their names from the Ministry of Interior’s databases or from criminal records.

When she goes to file a complaint and her ID is run through the “system”, she may be arrested over old convictions that were never removed — even if she has served her sentence or been acquitted. In an instant, she can shift from complainant to accused, from a victim seeking justice to a defendant fighting for her freedom.

Image:The investigation background

Numbers Reveal the Scale of the Crisis

The European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) has published a study on cyber violence against women and girls in the European Union, describing digital violence as intentional conduct carried out through information and communication technologies. It encompasses forms such as online harassment, cyberstalking, cyberbullying, hate speech, and the non-consensual dissemination of intimate images or videos. Such acts are often accompanied by threats and financial or sexual extortion, inflicting psychological, physical, and economic harm.

Such violence can sometimes drive victims to withdraw from digital spaces, which in turn undermines their access to education, employment, and opportunities to build social networks.

Globally, a report by UN Women, published on November 19, 2025, highlighted the expanding reach of digital violence against women and girls, pointing to a clear gap in legislation.

World Bank data indicate that fewer than 40 percent of countries have laws protecting women from online harassment or digital stalking — leaving roughly 1.8 billion women and girls without access to legal protection.

In Egypt, Dr. Hend Fouad, Assistant Professor of Sociology at the National Center for Social and Criminological Research, conducted a study published in May 2025 in Afaaq Ijtima‘iyya (Social Horizons), a journal issued by the Information and Decision Support Center of the Egyptian Cabinet. Titled “Combating Violence Against Women and Girls Around the World: Efforts and Protection Mechanisms,” the study examines the prevalence of cyber violence. Dr. Fouad emphasizes that cyber violence is currently one of the most widespread forms of abuse against women and girls. She notes that many women refrain from seeking legal protection during disputes due to a lack of economic empowerment, which could give them a sense of security for themselves and their children. According to the study, digital violence is a major source of concern for women, posing serious threats to their physical safety and mental health.

Dr. Hend explains: “Women in debt are among the most socially and economically vulnerable. They often fall into the cycle of debt to meet basic family needs or because of gaps in social protection and limited legal and financial awareness. Digital violence intersects with their reality, magnifying their vulnerability and deepening their social exclusion.”

She adds: “The social stigma attached to women in debt is digitally reproduced through posts or comments that portray them as morally culpable, reinforcing negative stereotypes and closing off opportunities for support and social inclusion.”

Dr. Hend Fouad, Assistant Professor of Sociology at the National Center for Social and Criminological Research, also highlights exploitation via informal digital platforms that post ads or run pages offering “quick loans” or “instant debt solutions,” specifically targeting women in debt. These often result in unfair terms or online scams that exacerbate their indebtedness.

Official Statistics

The 2024 report from the Women’s Complaints Office, part of the National Council for Women, underscores the severity of the situation. Crimes of violence and discrimination ranked second in the volume of complaints, after personal status issues, accounting for approximately 11 percent of all reports. These complaints include domestic and sexual violence, as well as other forms of abuse.

Job Ads: A New Gateway for Exploitation

Exploitation doesn’t come only from husbands, trust receipt holders, or lawyers — sometimes it comes from unexpected sources. Lawyer Nora Ibrahim emphasizes that women in debt face various forms of daily exploitation simply because they have a criminal record.

She recounts the story of one of her clients, who sank into massive debt after the death of her husband, leaving her with three children. A judgment was issued against her due to her inability to repay the debts. She responded to a Facebook ad seeking a domestic worker, often leaving her phone number on postings she came across, hoping to find a job to provide for her children’s daily needs.

But her client fell into the trap of certain individuals: one propositioned her for sex in exchange for money or demanded that she appear nude on video, while another demanded a photo of her national ID before she could reach his “villa,” then used it to expose, blackmail, and pressure her over the cases filed against her.

Lawyer Nora Ibrahim says that her client “faces daily violations and is forced to keep working,” noting that this man also physically assaulted her client, telling her, “Who do you think you are? You’re an ex-convict.”

Attempts to Fight Back: Are They Enough?

Nevine Ebeid, Executive Director of the New Woman Foundation, believes that addressing blackmail and online violence requires serious consideration of practical solutions. She points out that the response of relevant authorities, such as the Cybercrime Unit and the Public Prosecutor’s Office, often depends on cases that gain wide attention on social media and turn into matters of public opinion, while less-publicized cases receive far less attention — undermining the principle of equal access to justice.

She explains that most of the cases that reach the foundation involve girls who are primarily seeking advice rather than direct legal intervention. In addition, she points out that the available communication channels, particularly WhatsApp, allow them to speak freely. Still, very few agree to provide voice recordings unless they are prepared to initiate an official complaint.

Ebeid emphasizes that deciding to pursue legal action remains difficult and overwhelming for many, because it requires the victim herself to reveal the extortion and disclose what she considers a “scandal.” Even going to the police station to report it places a heavy psychological burden on her.

On-the-Ground Efforts

“Don’t be afraid… whatever the type of blackmail or violence, you are not alone.” This was one of the messages from a campaign launched by the Life Foundation for Development and Community Integration (LFDCI) in Egypt in conjunction with the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. Women in debt were among the targeted groups.

Hala Fouad, a social worker and trainer at the foundation, explains that several indebted women, including some who had served prison terms — along with their daughters — have been subjected to online violence. They are pressured because of the social stigma that continues to follow them even after an acquittal. She adds that some cases have led to suicide attempts: “Some women have seen their home lives fall apart due to harassment or digital violence.”

The foundation provides training on digital safety and awareness of online risks, teaching women — including those in debt — how to secure their accounts, navigate social media safely, and detect if they are being tracked or monitored. The training also covers legal consequences and the legal framework governing cybercrime, alongside offering guidance and support for those facing extortion.

Hala Fouad explains, “Of course, because they are formerly incarcerated or have legal issues, they were afraid,” noting that these women do reach out to relevant authorities for protection, including the Cybercrime Unit, the Child Helpline, and pages and initiatives that combat digital violence — especially the abuse faced by women in debt and their daughters.

Women in Debt: Trapped on All Sides

Iman expresses deep regret over the debts that have taken a toll on her mental health and that of her daughters, who bore the cost alongside her. After her husband abandoned her, married another woman, and refused to provide for their children, she had no choice but to borrow money to pay for their education and daily needs. In a resolute tone, she says, “Under no circumstances will I ever do this again. That’s it.”

But regret alone is not enough. Women in debt find themselves trapped between the debts that landed them in prison, the stigma that has been turned into a weapon in the hands of extortionists, and laws that protect them on paper but fail to safeguard them in reality. And the “system” neither forgets nor forgives.

This report was produced with the support of ARIJ.

This report was published in Arabic on the following:
Muwatin Almostathmir