Malaysian woman charged in Australia with blackmailing grieving couple who lost baby

A picture of the accused, Siti Nurhidayah, who was charged with blackmail in Australia. – Video screenshot from 9 News/Facebook

PETALING JAYA: A Malaysian woman has been charged in Australia with blackmailing two grieving young parents by demanding A$1,000 (RM 2,915) for the return of a lost phone which contained the only photos of their recently-deceased baby daughter.

Siti Nurhidayah Kamal was charged with blackmail at the Ringwood Magistrates Court in Melbourne on Monday (April 29) after allegedly attempting to extort the couple whose phone was lost on Easter Sunday (April 21).

Australian news channel 9 News reported that Jay and Dee Windross had issued a heartfelt plea for the return of their mobile phone two weeks ago, which contains photographs of their 11-month-old daughter who died due to a neurological condition last Wednesday (April 24).

It reported that the couple said they had accidentally left the phone in a bathroom at the Chadstone Shopping Centre, but it was missing by the time they returned to retrieve it.

9 News reported that after talking to police, Siti said she had never been in possession of the phone but had used the opportunity to get some "reward" money.

Siti Nurhidayah moved to Australia last September and is reported to be working as an Uber Eats delivery cyclist to support her two children.

The news channel reported that the magistrate refused bail, saying that Siti was a potential flight risk.

-star.