<span>An Emirati woman has issued a warning to other women to be wary before interacting with people on social media after she was blackmailed into having a relationship with a man she met online.</span> <span>The woman told her story through a video shared by Abu Dhabi Police.</span> <span>“I met a guy on social media. Our relationship developed into us sending photos and videos to each other,” she said.</span> <span>The identity and age of the woman have not been revealed.</span> <span>“After some time, he started putting pressure on me in many ways,” she said.</span> <span>“He blackmailed me financially, socially, until he threatened to even kill me.</span> <span>“All of this so I’ll keep going out with him.”</span> <span>The pressure eventually started to affect her personal life and career.</span> <span>“I turned into an introvert, and I started missing work. I could no longer carry on with my life as normal,” she said.</span> <span>After a while, the Emirati woman said, a colleague noticed that there was something wrong with her. </span> <span>“We spoke and she advised me to go to Abu Dhabi Police’s social support department,” she said.</span> <span>“I was surprised with by how quickly and secretly they handled by situation and my privacy."</span> <span>She advised women to be cautious when it comes to interacting with people on social media. </span> <span>“I have a message for every woman: do not trust any sender or message you receive on social media,” she said.</span> <span>She also advised people to contact the police’s Aman service on 8002626 if they find themselves in a similar situation.</span> <span>Abu Dhabi Police also advised parents to monitor their children’s activities on social media and who they are in contact with.</span> <span>“Especially men who pretend to be women to trick others into befriending them; then the blackmail begins,” police said.</span> <span>The law punishes cyber blackmail with up to two years in jail and a fine that ranges between Dh250,000 and Dh500,000.</span> <span>The penalty is upgraded to 10 years in prison if the blackmail was to commit a crime or an indecent act that breaches one’s honour.</span>