FBI Warns ‘Sextortions’ On The Rise

Person in hoodie using laptop, surrounded by digital code.

Nigerian criminals orchestrated a deadly sextortion scheme that drove a promising Michigan teen athlete to suicide within hours, exposing how foreign predators are systematically targeting America’s youth through social media platforms.

Story Snapshot

Jordan DeMay, 17-year-old Michigan football and basketball star, died by suicide after Nigerian scammers demanded $1,000 following sextortion scheme
FBI investigation led to unprecedented extradition of Samuel and Samson Ogoshi from Nigeria, sentenced to 17½ years in federal prison
At least 38 American teens have died by suicide from sextortion scams since 2021, with athletes particularly targeted
Criminal networks exploit social media platforms like Instagram to contact victims through fake female profiles

Teen Athlete Targeted by International Criminal Network

Jordan DeMay embodied the American dream. The 17-year-old Michigan high school student excelled in football and basketball, maintained good grades, and planned to study physical therapy. His promising future ended tragically in March 2022 when Nigerian criminals contacted him through a fake Instagram account called “Dani Robertts.” Within hours of first contact, the scammers coerced Jordan into sending an intimate photo, then immediately demanded $1,000 while threatening to distribute the image to his family and friends.

The psychological pressure proved overwhelming. Despite attempting to pay through Apple Pay, Jordan couldn’t meet the full demand. As threats escalated through the night, the promising young athlete saw no escape from what he believed would be complete social ruin. He died by suicide at home before dawn, leaving his family devastated and searching for answers.

FBI Traces Digital Trail to Nigeria

Detective Lowell Larson suspected sextortion from the beginning. Working with federal agents, he obtained emergency legal orders to access Instagram data from Meta. The investigation revealed Jordan’s girlfriend Kyla had received threatening messages and photo collages from “Dani Robertts” between 2:27 and 3:38 a.m., providing crucial evidence of the extortion scheme. Investigators followed the money trail from Jordan’s Apple Pay transfer to an intermediary in Atlanta, who later pleaded guilty to serving as a money mule.

The FBI’s cyber and violent crimes units traced IP addresses and Instagram account data to Nigeria, identifying Samuel and Samson Ogoshi as operators of a large-scale sextortion ring targeting American teenage boys. Federal agents traveled to Nigeria, where local authorities seized devices containing incriminating evidence. The suspects’ computers showed searches for “Michigan suicide” and “Instagram blackmail death,” directly linking them to Jordan’s death. This international cooperation resulted in a rare extradition from Nigeria to face federal charges in Michigan.

Epidemic Claims Dozens of American Teen Lives

Jordan’s case represents part of a disturbing trend that emerged around 2021. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children reports at least 38 known teen suicides linked to sextortion schemes, though officials acknowledge substantial undercounting. The FBI identifies a marked shift where organized criminal groups, especially in West Africa, began systematically targeting American boys aged 14-17 for financial gain rather than seeking additional explicit material.

High-achieving athletes appear particularly vulnerable to these schemes. ESPN’s investigation documented numerous similar tragedies: James Woods, a 17-year-old Ohio track sprinter; Carter Bremseth, a 16-year-old Minnesota golfer; Riley Basford, a 15-year-old New York lacrosse player; and Braden Markus, a 15-year-old Ohio football player who died just 27 minutes after first contact. The criminals exploit cultural norms around masculinity and fears about reputation damage, particularly concerning college scholarships and athletic careers.

In September 2024, U.S. District Court in Marquette sentenced the Ogoshi brothers to 17½ years in federal prison. The judge and prosecutor rejected their attempt to characterize the operation as a minor financial scam, emphasizing the lethal consequences of their actions. This landmark prosecution sends a clear message that distance provides no protection from American justice when foreign criminals target our children. Jordan’s parents continue speaking publicly about their son’s case, working to educate families about sextortion risks and encouraging immediate reporting to law enforcement rather than suffering in silence.