Nigerian Brothers Jailed for Sextortion Leading to Teen’s Suicide

Marquette, Michigan – Two Nigerian brothers have been sentenced to 17 and a half years in prison for a sextortion scam that tragically led to the suicide of a 17-year-old American boy, Jordan DeMay.

The Ogoshi brothers, Samuel, 24, and Samson, 21, from Lagos, targeted DeMay on Instagram by posing as a teenage girl. They lured him into sending explicit photos and then blackmailed him for money, threatening to share the images with his friends. Devastated, DeMay took his own life just hours after the initial contact.

This case marks the first successful prosecution of Nigerians for sextortion in the US, a crime with a growing presence and often linked to Nigeria. Investigators identified 38 other victims across the US, with 13 being minors.

Heartbroken parents, John and Jenn Buta, shared their grief in court. Jenn Buta, through tears, read a victim impact statement describing her shattered world. While welcoming the verdict, she acknowledged the tragedy’s lack of a true win.

The brothers, extradited from Nigeria after a meticulous investigation, pleaded guilty to conspiring to sexually exploit minors. Their defense cited drug abuse and the prevalence of sextortion scams in their homeland as contributing factors.

However, the judge condemned their “callous disregard for life,” especially targeting others even after learning of DeMay’s death. Both brothers offered apologies to the DeMay family.

This case has shed light on a concerning trend. Researchers and law enforcement agencies have pinpointed Nigeria as a hotspot for sextortion. In recent months, similar cases have emerged internationally, with suicides linked to Nigerian scammers in Australia and Canada.

Experts believe the Ogoshi case could serve as a deterrent. Professor Adedeji Oyenuga, a cybersecurity expert from Lagos State University, hopes the news will discourage potential criminals. He reports a “bad signal” being received on the streets, suggesting a potential decrease in such crimes.

Nigerian authorities are also taking action. Professor Oyenuga highlights recent successes by Nigerian police in tackling domestic sextortion cases. This case coincides with a broader effort to combat cybercrime in Nigeria. The infamous “Yahoo Boys,” known for email scams in the early 2000s, represent a past wave of this issue.

Dr. Tombari Sibe, from cybersecurity firm Digital Footprints Nigeria, emphasizes the need to address the normalization of cybercrime among Nigerian youth. He hopes the Ogoshi case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of sextortion.