FBI, EFCC Arrest 22 Nigerians Over Sextortion Scheme Linked to Teen Suicides in U.S
By: Israel Adeleke
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in collaboration with the Economy Financial and Crimes Commission, (EFCC), have arrested 22 Nigerians accused of orchestrating sextortion schemes that have been linked to a troubling rise in teenage suicides across the United States.
OTN News further reports that the crackdown, which codenamed Operation Artemis, was executed in collaboration with law enforcement agencies in Nigeria, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
According to the FBI, about half of the arrested suspects have direct ties to cases where teenage victims ended their own lives after being targeted.
The agency reported a sharp 30 percent surge in sextortion-related complaints between October 2024 and March 2025 compared to the same period the previous year.
In 2024 alone, its Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) received over 54,000 sextortion complaints — a staggering increase from 34,000 reports in 2023, the agency added.
"Over the past two years, victims have suffered nearly $65 million in financial losses due to sextortion crimes," the FBI stated. "Tragically, more than 20 teenage boys, mostly between 14 and 17 years old, died by suicide during this period."
OTN News observes that the alarming rise prompted the FBI to launch extensive investigations across the country, aiming to deliver justice and closure to grieving families.
Investigations by the FBI’s Child Exploitation Operational Unit identified Nigeria as a major hub for perpetrators, prompting expanded international efforts.
OTN News observes as stated by the agency that the suspects reportedly posed as young women on various social media platforms, targeting teenage boys and coercing them into sharing explicit images and videos.
OTN News further observes that once the material was obtained, the victims were blackmailed under threats of public exposure unless they paid ransom, often via gift cards, mobile money, or cryptocurrency. Disturbingly, the harassment often persisted even after victims made payments.
Among those arrested, one suspect was extradited to the United States in January to face charges related to the suicide of a teenager in South Carolina. Two others had earlier been extradited in connection with the death of a young man in Pennsylvania, while additional suspects are reportedly awaiting extradition from Nigeria.
OTN News further reports that the FBI Director, Kash Patel, hailed Operation Artemis as a major milestone in the agency’s mission to combat online exploitation.
He said, "This operation highlights our unwavering mission to safeguard vulnerable children and pursue those who exploit them no matter where they are,"
He added, "It also underscores the urgent need for global cooperation to confront this growing threat."
OTN News however, observes that in the wake of the arrests, the FBI is urging parents and guardians to talk openly with their children about online safety and monitor their digital activities closely to prevent further tragedies.
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