Police Officer Indicted Over Online Impersonation and Threats Against Women

The Internal Police Investigations Department filed a 14-count indictment in Haifa District Court against Samer Sheikh, a Traffic Division officer, alleging years-long offenses against women. Prosecutors say he used police databases to obtain personal details, opened fictitious WhatsApp and social-media accounts under male and female identities, and sent repeated sexual messages and pornographic videos. The indictment alleges he threatened to distribute intimate images unless women complied, and in one case sent material to a complainant's brother and fiancé. Charges include extortion by threats, sexual harassment, impersonation, privacy violations, fraud and unlawful telecommunications harassment.