Two men from Nigeria have been extradited to the U.S. to face charges related to an online “sextortion” scheme, resulting in the death of 17-year-old Jordan DeMay from Michigan. Last year, after a manipulated online conversation, DeMay took his own life when he was blackmailed into paying money to prevent the release of intimate photos. FBI director Christopher Wray highlighted DeMay’s case and the significant uptick in online “sextortion” instances during a speech to the International Association of Chiefs of Police.
The FBI collaborated with local Michigan law enforcement to investigate DeMay’s tragic demise. He believed he was communicating with a girl his age on Instagram, but after sharing personal images, he faced demands for money. Failure to comply resulted in threats of exposing the images to DeMay’s contacts and, fatally, goading him into ending his life. Investigations revealed the involvement of two Nigerian brothers, Samuel and Samson Ogoshi, who employed a compromised Instagram account to engage DeMay. The duo attempted to exploit over 100 individuals using a similar tactic. Both men have pleaded not guilty.
The FBI has reported a staggering increase in “sextortion” cases over the past year, with around 3,000 minors affected. Several of these cases trace back to perpetrators in African countries. Most victims range from 14 to 17 years old, but children as young as 10 have been approached.
Jennifer Buta, DeMay’s mother, emphasized the importance of parental awareness. She urged parents to engage in open conversations about potential online threats, ensuring children feel safe discussing their online experiences.
