THE United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has arrested 22 Nigerians allegedly involved in a financially driven sextortion scheme, which has been linked to over 20 teen suicides in the country since 2021.
In a statement obtained from its website, the agency revealed that the arrests were part of a groundbreaking global operation, codenamed Artemis, carried out in partnership with law enforcement agencies from Canada, Australia, Nigeria, and the United Kingdom.
The FBI said it launched Operation Artemis nearly two years ago after receiving thousands of reports of teen boys being coerced into sharing sexually explicit photos online and then extorted with threats of exposure unless they paid.
“As a result of Operation Artemis, FBI investigations led to the arrest of 22 Nigerian subjects, with at least one arrest linked to an American victim who took their own life,” the FBI said.
It explained that the sextortion schemes involve minors, typically boys, who are befriended online by individuals posing as young women, persuading them to exchange nude photos.
“Once the victims comply, they are demanded to send money to prevent the images from being shared,” it said.
Investigators highlighted that even after victims make payments, the demands frequently continue, and the threats intensify.
According to the FBI, the analysis of victims’ phones and social media accounts revealed heartbreaking narratives of young kids enduring panicked negotiations in bids to maintain their privacy.
FBI Special Agent Matthew Crowley interviewed suspects in Lagos State to gain insight into why they opted for sextortion instead of other financial scams, such as romance fraud or business email compromise.
“One subject said, ‘It’s easy money. I can just move on to the next one if I don’t get any traction,” Crowley reported.
