FBI Arrests 22 Nigerians in Global Sextortion Crackdown Linked to Teenage Suicides

In a significant international operation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has arrested 22 Nigerian nationals involved in a series of sextortion scams that have led to the tragic suicides of over 20 teenage boys across the United States since 2021. These arrests are the culmination of Operation Artemis, a large-scale collaboration between law enforcement agencies from the U.S., Nigeria, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

The FBI’s investigation revealed that the suspects were part of an organized network exploiting social media to target vulnerable teenagers. Posing as young women, the perpetrators convinced victims to share sexually explicit images. These images were then used to extort money from the boys, with threats of public exposure if they failed to comply. In some cases, even after the victims paid, the threats continued, leading some to take their own lives.

FBI Special Agent Karen R., who led the investigation, emphasized the real and devastating impact of the crime. “This is not a victimless crime. These are real children suffering real consequences,” she said.

The FBI’s efforts began in 2021 when they began reviewing numerous reports of sextortion and found a disturbing trend tied to Nigeria. By early 2023, investigators had traced the activity back to Nigerian suspects, some of whom were linked to cases involving suicide victims. In response, a joint task force, including agents from the FBI, Australian Federal Police (AFP), and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), established a command post in Lagos in the summer of 2023 to carry out coordinated raids with Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Michael Wetkas, zone commander of the EFCC, highlighted the local knowledge that was crucial to the success of the operation. “No matter how good the FBI is, they may not be able to penetrate our terrain the way we do. We know the terrain very well,” he said.

During the raids, law enforcement seized numerous devices containing evidence that directly implicated the suspects in the scams. FBI analyst Thomas Million pointed out the undeniable proof uncovered during the interviews, saying, “You can’t really say you didn’t do it when we’re seeing it right here on your phone.”

The operation has also underscored the need for stronger deterrents against cybercrime in Nigeria, where economic hardship has driven some youth into online criminal activities. Abba Sambo, a supervisor at the EFCC, explained, “They don’t actually see the suffering of the victims. To them, it’s just a game.”

Officials from the U.S. Consulate in Lagos hope that the arrests send a strong message to potential offenders. Michael Ervin of the U.S. Consulate said, “An operation like this is a strong message to criminals that their acts will not go unpunished.”

As the investigation continues, law enforcement agencies are analyzing the evidence and identifying potential victims. Authorities are urging parents to talk to their children about the dangers of online interactions and report any suspicious activity to the proper authorities.