Thai woman accused of blackmailing monks won $12 million

Authorities in Thailand have arrested a woman suspected of one of the biggest blackmail schemes in the country's recent history. Known by the public under the nickname “Lady Golf”, she is accused of benefiting about $12m by blackmailing Buddhist monks with video and intimate materials.

According to reports BBCThe investigations revealed that she had collected more than 800,000 photographs and videos that she used to threaten and force victims to pay large sums of money.

Police confirmed that she had engaged in sex with at least nine monks who were later placed in a difficult position and threatened with publishing material.

This event has caused great shock in Thai public opinion, especially in view of the fact that Buddhist monks are among the most respected figures in Thai society.

More than 90 percent of Thailand's population is Buddhist, and many men temporarily enter monk life to gain spiritual merit or “carma”

The scandal is just one of a series of similar incidents that have shaken religious institutions in Thailand in recent years, highlighting a crisis of trust and concerns about the morality of Buddhist clergymen. Many religious citizens and leaders have called for deep reforms and stricter oversight of religious institutions to maintain the integrity and trust of the public.

Meanwhile, “Lady Golf” faces several counts of blackmail, privacy intervention and money laundering.

Investigations continue and authorities do not rule out the possibility that other persons are involved in this well-organised network of extortion. /Periscopi/