Man charged with blackmailing children across globe over Discord to send indecent images

A MAN has appeared in court charged with blackmailing children across the world via gaming platform Discord into sending him indecent images after posing as a model agency scout to some of the alleged victims.

Ishmael Duncan, 23, from Lambeth, south London, was arrested as part of a probe involving the National Crime Agency (NCA).

He appeared at Croydon Magistrates’ Court for a first hearing on Thursday, July 6 2023.

There are 32 alleged victims, with six in the UK, and others in Canada, the US and Australia.

The court heard that he faces 53 charges including causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, blackmail, making and possessing indecent images of children and possession of extreme pornography.

Duncan, who spoke only to confirm his identity and address at the brief hearing, is accused of using multiple online identities, including impersonating a model agency scout, to obtain indecent images of children via a combination of threats to forward on the images and deception.

Duncan was given conditional bail to appear at Inner London Crown Court on a future date.

Under his conditional bail he must not use Discord or communicate with any under 18s online or in person unless absolutely unavoidable.

He is also banned from using encryption, VPN and digital wiping software and wiping internet browsing history.

Duncan must also declare any electronic devices to the NCA.