TOLEDO, Ohio (WLIO) — A Lima woman is facing federal charges after allegedly extorting more than $80,000 from a family through a fabricated blackmail scheme involving artificial intelligence-generated images.
According to court documents, 46-year-old Crystal Cisco is charged with multiple offenses connected to the alleged extortion case.
Investigators say Cisco used her relationship with the family’s adult daughter to create a false story involving an alleged sex video that would be released unless the family paid money. Authorities said AI-generated images were also used as part of the scheme.
Court records state that when additional demands for money were made, the victims contacted the Allen County Sheriff's Office for assistance. Investigators and the FBI then organized a sting operation in which Cisco was allegedly captured on video and audio accepting sham money supplied by the sheriff’s office.
The Allen County Sheriff's Office is asking anyone with information related to Cisco’s alleged criminal activities to contact FBI-Lima at 419-223-7761 or 419-949-5050.
Media Release from the Allen County Sheriff’s Office
On May 4, 2026, Crystal Cisco of Lima, Ohio was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation for extortion. The FBI investigated Cisco for her role in defrauding and orchestrating a scheme targeting elderly and vulnerable victims. Cisco potentially faces charges of wire fraud, extortion, receiving proceeds of extortion, and interstate communications with intent to extort. The FBI and the Allen County Sheriff’s Office are seeking information from anyone who may have knowledge of Cisco’s criminal activity. Anyone who believes they may have information to this investigation or believes they are a victim of Crystal Cisco is encouraged to contact FBI-Lima at 419-223-7761, or 419-949-5050.
