Two Nigerian men, Samuel Ogoshi, 22, and Samson Ogoshi, 20, have been extradited from Nigeria to the United States to face charges of an alleged international sextortion ring. The men are accused of sexually extorting over 100 young men and teenage boys by posing as women. The crimes are said to have taken place from an unspecified time before February 2021 through at least May 2022.
According to federal prosecutors, the Ogoshi brothers face multiple charges, including conspiracy to sexually exploit minors, conspiracy to distribute child pornography, and conspiracy to commit stalking through the internet. Samuel Ogoshi also faces charges of sexual exploitation of a minor resulting in death and attempted sexual exploitation of a minor resulting in death. The indictment alleges that the defendants engaged in extortion and attempted extortion of more than 100 victims.
The scheme reportedly involved the defendants purchasing hacked social media accounts and using them to pose as young women. They would then initiate sex chats with their victims and request explicit photos. After receiving the images, the defendants would create collages with the victims’ photos and threaten to share them with the victims’ friends and family unless they paid money.
Tragically, the case is also linked to the death of Jordan DeMay, a 17-year-old from Marquette, Michigan. DeMay died from a self-inflicted gunshot on March 25, 2022. Prior to his death, he had paid the defendants $300 but was told it was not enough. The indictment includes messages exchanged between DeMay and the defendants, where they allegedly encouraged him to take his own life.
The Nigerian authorities arrested Samuel and Samson Ogoshi in January 2023, following a request from the United States. They were indicted in May and are expected to appear in court for their initial appearance on Monday afternoon in Grand Rapids, Michigan. A third co-defendant, Ezekial Ejehem Robert, is also named in the case, and his extradition is still pending.
U.S. Attorney Mark Totten expressed his commitment to pursuing those who commit such crimes and offered support to the victims. The FBI and Nigerian law enforcement were praised for their efforts in securing justice in this international sexual exploitation investigation.
