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This article addresses the sensitive topic of suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
In a harrowing case that underscores the grave threat of online sextortion, five individuals from Georgia and Alabama have admitted guilt to charges of money laundering linked to a scheme that ended with the suicide of a Michigan teenager.
The defendants, identified as Kendall Ormond London, 32; Brian Keith Coldmon, Jr., 30; Jarell Daivon Williams, 31; and Johnathan Demetrius Green, 32, along with Dinsimore Guyton Robinson, 29, operated from online platforms to funnel funds acquired through deceptive and exploitative means.
In March 2022, Jordan DeMay, just 17 years old, fell victim to a scheme orchestrated by Nigerian brothers Samuel Ogoshi, 22, and Samson Ogoshi, 20. Posing as a woman on Instagram, the brothers utilized a hacked account to initiate contact with DeMay, leading to a sinister cycle of coercion and blackmail.
Under the guise of a romantic connection, the perpetrators blackmailed DeMay into sending money, threatening to disclose explicit images unless he complied. Sadly, the immense pressure culminated in a tragic decision, with DeMay taking his own life.
Federal authorities acting against the Ogoshi brothers extradited them to the United States in 2024, where a judge imposed a sentence exceeding 17 years in prison alongside five years of supervised release for their involvement in the distressing case. This sextortion scheme also victimized over 100 individuals, illustrating the widespread nature of this crime.
Jordan’s father, John DeMay, expressed his relief regarding the guilty pleas, stating that it signifies the serious attention the FBI and U.S. authorities are giving to such crimes. He remains dedicated to raising awareness about the dangers of sextortion.
Sextortion refers to the alarming trend where individuals entice or extort minors online, often through social media, prompting them to participate in sexual acts or send money under duress. The FBI reported over 13,000 instances of online financial sextortion, impacting at least 12,600 victims between October 2021 and March 2023.
The specific method used by the Ogoshi brothers involved establishing a fake persona to encourage young men, particularly boys, to share nude photographs, which would later be exploited. This deceptive act proved deeply damaging, as victims were subsequently threatened with exposure if they did not comply with demands for money.
In a particularly alarming instance from DeMay’s case, the very night he began communication with the scammers, he unwittingly sent an explicit photo, leading to a cascade of threats from Samuel Ogoshi. The extortion escalated rapidly, with demands for money escalating overnight.
Heartbreakingly, as the threats intensified, DeMay communicated to Samuel Ogoshi his suicidal intentions. In response to this distress, Ogoshi callously replied, urging DeMay to act on his threat.
The conspirators instructed victims to transfer funds using platforms like Apple Pay, Cash App, and Zelle, diverting approximately 20% for themselves before converting the rest into bitcoin. This method of transaction often makes tracing difficult, complicating investigations.
According to DeMay, the transition to bitcoin occurs because converting American dollars directly to Nigerian currency poses challenges. The anonymity within the cryptocurrency network presents hurdles for law enforcement seeking to trace financial transactions derived from such illicit activities.
Acting U.S. Attorney Birge emphasized that these individuals who profited from the heartbreaking exploitation would now face justice. The charges brought against them carry severe penalties, allowing for sentences of up to 20 years in prison.
In response to his son’s tragic passing, John DeMay has embarked on a mission to educate parents and children about sextortion and advocate for legislative measures aimed at safeguarding minors online. His efforts also focus on promoting awareness around the growing prevalence of sextortion cases across the nation.
The risk of sextortion is particularly pronounced for minors, with the FBI indicating that victims typically range from 14 to 17 years old. Nonetheless, any child remains at risk, as the majority of offenders originate from African and Southeast Asian countries. Notably, from October 2022 to March 2023, the FBI recorded a 20% surge in sextortion cases involving children.
Unfortunately, many sextortion incidents result in serious consequences, including suicide. Reports indicate that at least 20 of these victims in the United States took their own lives between October 2021 and March 2023, highlighting the urgent need for intervention and awareness initiatives.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has developed a resource known as ‘Take It Down.’ This tool is designed to assist victims in removing explicit images from the internet and mandating that offenders cease distribution.
In advocacy efforts, DeMay supports the bipartisan Kids Online Safety Act, which aims to enhance protections for children against online exploitation. While the bill garnered attention and support previously, it failed to reach the House floor for a vote. Senators Marsha Blackburn and Richard Blumenthal are expected to reintroduce the legislation this year.
Continued public awareness and education regarding the perils of sextortion remain critical. Efforts directed towards educating youth about online safety can help empower potential victims and mitigate future tragedies.
