Israeli Man Charged With Sexual Assault of Minor After Initial Contact Through Roblox Gaming Platform

Ilai David Nidam faces rape and extortion charges in Israel after allegedly grooming a 13-year-old girl on Roblox and using photos to blackmail her.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 23, 2026, 8:16 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Times of Israel

A Predator’s Transition From Virtual Spaces to Physical Crimes

The State Attorney’s Office has unveiled a chilling indictment against Ilai David Nidam, a resident of Rekhasim, following a series of alleged sexual offenses against a 13-year-old minor. According to the prosecution, the interaction began within the digital environment of Roblox, a massive multiplayer gaming platform widely used by children. Nidam is accused of moving beyond the virtual world to initiate a physical confrontation, traveling from his home south of Haifa to central Israel to carry out the alleged assaults. The case has reignited concerns regarding the effectiveness of safety protocols on global gaming platforms that facilitate direct communication between adults and children.

Coercion Through Digital Extortion and Privacy Threats

The indictment details a harrowing pattern of psychological manipulation used to bypass the victim's lack of consent. Prosecutors assert that the girl only agreed to meet Nidam after he threatened to leak revealing photographs of her onto the internet. This form of digital blackmail, often referred to as "sextortion," was reportedly the primary tool Nidam used to maintain control over the child. By dangling the threat of social ruin and public humiliation over the 13-year-old, the defendant allegedly ensured her silence and continued compliance during their physical encounters.

The Escalation of Intimidation and Death Threats

When the victim attempted to sever ties and stop communicating with the defendant, Nidam’s behavior reportedly shifted from manipulation to overt aggression. The State Attorney’s Office claims that Nidam became enraged by the girl's silence and demanded that she maintain contact with him at least once per day. During this period of heightened harassment, he is alleged to have issued a direct and terrifying warning, telling the child, "You won’t be glad to be alive." This statement is being used by prosecutors to illustrate the severity of the duress under which the victim was operating.