JOHANNESBURG - The investigation into alleged international sextortionist Ifeel Simango is continuing to widen, with investigators still working to identify and locate 52 alleged victims across several countries.
Simango appeared in the Protea magistrate's court in Soweto on Thursday, where he abandoned his bid for bail.
He faces charges including extortion, fraud, money laundering and the possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material.
The Hawks say the investigation has been ongoing for three years and was triggered by the death of a 17-year-old Swiss teenager who was allegedly manipulated into sharing explicit images online.
READ: Hawks tighten net around alleged Soweto sextortion kingpin
Investigators have since linked the alleged syndicate to 52 victims worldwide, including two South Africans.
Hawks spokesperson Katlego Mogale says investigators are still trying to establish the identities and locations of all the alleged victims.
“At this stage it is too early in the investigation to divulge whether we will be extraditing him. He is being charged for 52 victims that have already been unmasked. At this stage investigators are in a race against time to ascertain where all these victims are from and whether or not they will be attending in South Africa or they will be in their countries.”
The Hawks say the international nature of the investigation makes sextortion cases particularly complex, as suspects and victims may be located in different countries and online identities can be difficult to trace.
READ: Nigerian extradited, charged over sextortion that led to US teen's death
Private investigator Brad Nathanson says the accessibility of mobile phones and unregistered SIM cards can make the crime easy to commit, while making suspects more difficult to trace.
The investigation is not over, with police not ruling out further arrests.
Simango's case has been postponed to 9 September for further investigation.
- eNCA's Bafedile Moerane reports.