The scandal involving the influencer gang exploiting the TikTok platform to lure children in Lebanon for sexual assault and blackmail remains at the forefront of internal concerns. New information has emerged regarding this case and those involved. According to the "Al-Jadid" channel, as of Thursday evening, the number of arrests in this case has risen to seven, including the "TikTokers": George Mbayyeh (owner of the Hairzone barbershop in Sabtiyyeh) – Abdo Kessio known as "Abu" (owner of the Matrix clothing store in Bourj Hammoud) – Hadi Haddam (minor – Lebanese nationality) – Mohammad Siraj Aktorq (minor – Turkish nationality) – Mohammad Al-Hamali (minor – Syrian nationality) – Yahya Khalaf (photographer, arrested in the north) – Mohammad Sharaf El-Din (arrested today in the south).
The information indicates that the number of gang members might exceed one hundred, with thirty of them identified. Some have fled to Turkey, including one known as "Steve," who is of Lebanese nationality, while the search continues for the gang leader, a Lebanese businessman financing all the assaults.
Reports state that the gang lured victims by either pretending to offer money for shooting advertisements or by impersonating a girl who expressed affection for them, enticing them to chalets. Upon arrival, the minors were surprised to find a large number of other minors. After drugging their drinks, the children were assaulted, filmed during the act, and later blackmailed with the videos. Their phones were also stolen to eliminate any evidence of conversations between the victims and the perpetrators.
According to "Al-Jadid," this scandal came to light through Hassan Sanjar, a relative of one of the victims. After hiring a lawyer for the case, more victims came forward, increasing their number to six, while others still hesitate to join the lawsuit.
The gang leader reportedly contacted Sanjar, offering him money for closing the case and even inviting him to join the gang. When Sanjar refused, he was threatened with death and public shaming of himself and his family.
Moreover, sources from MTV revealed that the gang's activities extend beyond child sexual assault and blackmail, as they are also involved in money laundering. Investigations showed that some of the arrested individuals possessed stolen white credit cards supplied by another gang to launder the money earned by these TikTokers from their live broadcasts. However, there is currently no substantial evidence about the gang's involvement in drug trafficking.
The information also suggests that the number of victims has exceeded fifty, aged between 13 and 17 years, who were lured to specific locations and then transferred to chalets in Beirut and Mount Lebanon under the pretext of attending parties, before falling victim to harassment and assault.
