Senegal Kocc Barma extortion investigation

Authorities in Senegal are conducting a major investigation into an extortion and digital exploitation network involving El Hadji Babacar Dioum, known as ‘Kocc Barma’, and El Hadji Assane Demba, alias ‘Leuk Daour’.

Investigators from the Special Cybersecurity Division (DSC) successfully performed forensic analysis on Dioum’s iPhone 16 after accessing the device via a passcode. The digital search revealed numerous sexual videos and WhatsApp contact information for individuals who had exchanged messages with Dioum or sent him videos for ‘destruction’.

Following these breakthroughs, judicial orders have been issued to identify and apprehend accomplices, co-authors, or receivers of stolen goods. The investigation has expanded to include tracing Dioum’s international travel between 2017 and 2025, reviewing his financial records through the Dakar Commercial Court, and requesting telephone operators to identify all subscriptions registered to him to determine if the network has cross-border ramifications.

The suspects face various charges, including criminal conspiracy, unlawful collection and distribution of personal data, invasion of privacy, child pornography, and extortion.