The recent arrest of two people exposed the true workings of “La Tía Paty,” an Instagram account that, under the guise of entertainment and gossip, operated as a system of extortion and digital defamation in Nuevo León.
The Nuevo León Attorney General’s Office identified Astrid “N” and César “N” as the main administrators of the scheme, accused of threatening and demanding payments in exchange for not disclosing compromising user information.
The “La Tía Paty” account’s scam mechanism was based on collecting, without consent, personal and sensitive data from its Instagram followers.
Subsequently, the operators used this information to intimidate victims and demand money, threatening to publish private messages, photographs, or compromising details if their demands were not met.
Over time, the account expanded its reach and also targeted ordinary citizens, thus multiplying the number of victims and the emotional and social impact in Monterrey.
Posters with QR codes simulating parking tickets have appeared on vehicle windshields in Bogotá, raising concerns among drivers – Image credit: Infobae
The main method involved obtaining personal data and then threatening to publicly disclose it.
Victims received direct messages demanding payment to prevent the publication of photos, conversations revealing infidelity, or other sensitive information.
The scheme exploited the fear of digital exposure, especially among young people and those active on Instagram.
The page initially targeted celebrities, but later any user could be published, leading to online harassment and amplifying the risk of reputational damage.
In addition to extortion, the account is known to have functioned as a platform for recruiting and promoting sexual services.
The “escort catalog” offered those who paid the opportunity to appear on the list and contact interested parties.
The Nuevo León Attorney General’s Office reported that on March 25, they arrested Astrid “N” and César “N,” the alleged operators of the account, who will face charges of extortion and links to sex trafficking schemes on social media.
How to avoid digital extortion
- Set your account to private. Limit access to your profile to only approved users. This reduces the risk of strangers accessing your content and contacting you with malicious intent.
- Don’t share personal information or intimate images. Avoid sending photos, videos, or personal data through direct messages, even if the other person seems trustworthy or shares their own content. Extortionists often manipulate their victims to obtain sensitive material.
- Be wary of unsolicited messages. Ignore or block messages from unknown accounts, especially if they offer suspicious deals, collaborations, or favors. Don’t open links received in direct messages or in other people’s account bios.
- Enable two-step verification (2FA)
Turn on two-step verification to add an extra layer of security to your account. This makes it harder for third parties to access your profile, even if they obtain your password. - Use strong and unique passwords
Create long passwords, combining letters, numbers, and symbols. Don’t reuse passwords from other platforms and update them regularly. - Verify the authenticity of profiles and communications
Be wary of accounts that impersonate brands, celebrities, or Instagram support. Check details such as the username, image quality, and number of followers to detect fake profiles. - Don’t pay or give in to extortion
If you receive threats, don’t comply with the demands or send money. Extortionists often persist with new demands. - Document and report
Save evidence (screenshots, messages) and report it to Instagram and the authorities. Reporting helps stop the perpetrators and protects other users. - Limit the information in your bio and posts. Don’t post personal information like your address, phone number, or email in your profile or stories.
- Consult specialized tools if you are a victim. There are platforms for removing intimate images from the internet and organizations that support victims of online extortion.
Source: infobae
