Baghdad: The National Security Service announced the arrest of the main suspect in the database leak case and another suspect who created two fake channels for misinformation.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, in a statement, the Service said, "In two high-quality security operations, detachments of the National Security Service in Wasit Governorate were able to execute arrest warrants for the main suspects in data leak and electronic disinformation cases. The statement explained that in the first operation, the main suspect in the case of leaking the Iraqi database via the Telegram application was arrested in Baghdad. He was arrested under Article 182 of the Penal Code."

It added: "In a second operation, another suspect was arrested in the capital. During initial investigations, he confessed to creating a fake Telegram bot with a forged interface that suggested it possessed a database of national identity cards for citizens across Iraq's 18 governorates. The aim was to attract users and increase the number of followers."

He continued: "The second suspect admitted to creating two Telegram channels through which he exploited the fake bot to deceive citizens into believing he had their data. It was later discovered that the bot contained no real information and was completely empty. He confirmed that the purpose of this activity was to illegally profit financially by receiving money in the form of prepaid phone cards."

The National Security Service warned against any attempt to compromise citizens' information security, emphasizing its continued efforts to pursue all fake networks and identify those involved.