In a recent case in Michigan, Nigerian brothers Samuel and Samson Ogoshi were sentenced to serve 17½ years in prison for their involvement in a sextortion scheme that victimized 100 individuals and resulted in the suicide of Michigan teenager Jordan DeMay in 2022. This case marked the first time Nigerian sextortion scammers were extradited to the United States and sentenced to prison. U.S. District Judge Robert J. Jonker handed down the decision, emphasizing that criminals who commit these types of schemes will not go unpunished, even if they have to be tracked across the world. The FBI confirms that sextortion is a social media crime trend in which victims are tricked into engaging in sexual acts or sending money to prevent blackmail.
Jordan DeMay, a 17-year-old teenager, fell victim to the Ogoshi brothers when they posed as a woman on Instagram and blackmailed him into sending money, ultimately leading to his suicide. The brothers purchased hacked social media accounts to create fake profiles and catfish victims. They conducted extensive research on their targets, including where they lived, went to school, and personal relationships, to use as leverage. Once a victim sent explicit images, the brothers would threaten to expose them to family and friends unless they paid. Experts warn that sending money will only result in scammers demanding more from victims.
The Ogoshi brothers’ defense attorneys portrayed them as victims, stating that their childhood home in Nigeria was burned down by terrorists and they were using drugs while carrying out their crimes. Despite this, they were sentenced to prison for their actions. The FBI has seen a 20% increase in sextortion incidents involving minors, with the majority of victims being boys. Sextortion can lead to suicide and self-harm, with reports of at least 20 suicides between October 2021 and March 2023. The FBI is actively working to spread awareness of sextortion and provide resources to assist victims.
U.S. Attorney Mark Totten emphasized the importance of being cautious online, especially when using social media platforms. He urged parents, teenagers, and all cellphone users to be careful when interacting with strangers online and to refrain from sharing compromising images. The FBI has received over 13,000 reports of online financial sextortion involving at least 12,600 victims, highlighting the prevalence of these crimes. While sextortion predominantly affects minors, the FBI notes that any child can become a victim. Resources such as the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s “Take it Down” service are available to assist victims of sextortion.
The sentencing of Samuel and Samson Ogoshi marks a significant step in holding criminals accountable for sextortion crimes. The FBI is committed to spreading awareness of these crimes and providing resources to assist victims. The Justice Department confirms that the Ogoshi brothers targeted 100 victims, including at least 11 minors, in similar schemes. The FBI has seen an increase in sextortion incidents involving minors and notes that sextortion can have devastating consequences, including suicide. Victims of sextortion are encouraged to seek help and utilize resources available to protect themselves and prevent further victimization.
