Two Nigerian brothers, Samuel Ogoshi, 24, and Samson Ogoshi, 21, have been sentenced to 17 years and six months in prison in the United States for their involvement in a sextortion scheme that tragically led to the suicide of 17-year-old Jordan DeMay.
The brothers lured DeMay into sending them explicit images by pretending to be a girl his age on Instagram and subsequently blackmailed him for money, threatening to share the images with his friends if he did not comply. DeMay took his own life less than six hours after their initial conversation on March 25, 2022.
This case marks the first successful prosecution of Nigerians for sextortion in the U.S., highlighting a growing trend of such crimes linked to Nigeria. Prosecutors reported that the Ogoshi brothers exploited over 100 victims across the U.S., including at least 13 minors. They were extradited from Nigeria to the U.S. in August 2023 after being indicted in November 2022.
During the sentencing, U.S. District Judge Robert J. Jonker emphasized the “callous disregard for life” exhibited by the brothers, particularly as they continued their criminal activities even after learning of DeMay’s death. Both brothers expressed remorse, with Samson stating, “We made a bad decision to make money, and I wish I could change that”.
Jordan’s mother, Jenn Buta, delivered an emotional victim impact statement in court, expressing her devastation and highlighting the lack of a positive outcome from the case. She acknowledged the accountability brought to the Ogoshi brothers but lamented the irreparable loss of her son.
The case has garnered attention from law enforcement and researchers, who identify Nigeria as a hotspot for sextortion schemes. In response to the growing threat, authorities have been working to raise awareness and curb these crimes, which often involve scammers impersonating attractive individuals on social media to exploit victims.
