The Iraqi National Intelligence Service announced May 11 that an individual who was impersonating social activist Haida al-Amiri and blackmailing businessmen and prominent figures has been arrested in Lebanon.

Haida al-Amiri's is one of hundreds of fake social media accounts impersonating political figures in Iraq. Extensive electronic networks are paid to promote the funding party and distorting the image of its opponents to topple them politically and electorally. On April 28, activists and protesters received threatening messages via hundreds of fake accounts. Minister of Finance Ali Allawi denied having a Twitter account May 16 after a fake one was discovered to be posting in his name.

On May 7, the Ministry of Interior announced it had closed 15 fake accounts for Iraqi Airways that were posting false timetables for flights. Back in Septemer 2019, Facebook announced it was deleting around 500 fake pages and accounts created in Iraq and Ukraine.

The Haida al-Amiri impostor told Al-Monitor over the phone from Lebanon, “I am banned from writing, posting or making statements, except with the approval of the Lebanese authorities.”