Roblox continues to spark controversy in Iraq, just one week after its ban. Security authorities have revealed the involvement of an activist on the platform in highly dangerous murder cases.
According to a statement from the Iraqi Ministry of Interior on Tuesday, a teenager was arrested who caused the suicide of 30 people after recruiting them on Roblox. In turn, Major General Mustafa al-Yasiri, head of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Directorate, stated that the individual involved lured his victims with the aim of harming themselves and writing their names in blood on their bodies.
The accused did not stop at luring his victims; he also incited them to violence, self-harm, suicide, and animal cruelty.
Earlier, the Iraqi Ministry of Interior announced the dismantling of a criminal network known as "Satan's Worshippers" that practiced extortion and harmed victims, while also confirming its success in dismantling 22 international migrant smuggling networks this year.
Investigations indicate that the suspect ensnared 30 victims from various Arab and foreign countries, with the latest being an Iraqi teenage girl whom he drove to suicide in obedience to his orders.
Security authorities emphasized the need to monitor children and young people while they browse social media and prevent them from using these highly dangerous games.
Recall that Iraqi authorities had banned the Roblox platform on October 20th of this year due to containing sexual innuendos, foul language, and violations, in addition to exposing children and adolescents to attempts of electronic blackmail, according to an official statement.
The Iraqi government stated that it banned the Roblox video game platform due to fears of child abuse, thus joining other countries in taking strict measures against virtual worlds.
