The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has arrested 22 Nigerian nationals connected to financially motivated sextortion schemes that led to the tragic suicides of several American victims.
The suspects were arrested via a first-of-its-kind global operation launched by FBI to address the dangerous rise in American suicides attributed to this crime.
The FBI noted that the operation was specifically launched to combat financially motivated sextortion schemes operating out of Nigeria.
The statement from Bureau reads: “In coordination with multiple law enforcement partners, the FBI conducted Operation Artemis—a surge of resources and personnel to Nigeria to address the high rate of sextortion related suicides attributed to Nigerian perpetrators.
Read Also: Alleged $1bn Fraud: Court gives EFCC go-ahead to arrest, detain 6 CBEX staff
“As a result of Operation Artemis, FBI investigations led to the arrests of 22 Nigerian subjects connected to financially motivated sextortion schemes.
“Of those 22 subjects, approximately half were directly linked to victims who took their own lives.”
CLICK ON THE BANNER FOR MORE DETAILS
“This operation marks a significant step in the fight against child exploitation and brings justice and accountability to international perpetrators hiding anonymously behind screens.”
FBI Director Kash Patel also noted that “Operation Artemis exemplifies the FBI’s never-ending mission to protect our most vulnerable, and to pursue the heinous criminals harming our children no matter where they hide.”
“This operation highlights the critical need for international cooperation to address this growing threat, and it’s a fight we can’t take on without our valued partners across the globe. We hope this message encourages parents and guardians to continue to educate their children about online safety and serves as a reminder of the FBI’s relentless pursuit of keeping our children safe.”
The Sextortion Scam
Financially motivated sextortion involves predators coercing minors into creating and sharing sexually explicit material, then blackmailing them for money. These scammers often target teenage boys, pretending to be attractive girls, and manipulate them into sending compromising photos or videos. Once they have the material, they demand payment to keep it from being shared with family and friends.
According to the FBI, at least 20 suicides have been linked to financially motivated sextortion since October 2021, with many more victims suffering emotional trauma and psychological distress.
The agency reports a 20% increase in sextortion incidents targeting minors over a six-month period.
Comments are closed.