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FBI nabs Nigerian over teen sextortion, gets five years

A Nigerian national, Samuel Abiodun, has been sentenced to five years’ imprisonment in the United States after pleading guilty to his role in an online sextortion scheme that led to the death of a teenage boy.

Abiodun, 25, was arrested in Nigeria alongside an accomplice, Afeez Aina, by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and extradited to the US in July 2024. He was sentenced on Tuesday by Judge Joel Slomsky of the US District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

According to US Attorney David Metcalf, Abiodun served as a financial middleman in a network that targeted and extorted vulnerable young people online, with devastating consequences.

Speaking on the role Abiodun played in the conspiracy, Metcalf said, “As the financial middleman, Abiodun played a key role in this sextortion scheme, which thoroughly traumatised the victim and then devastated his family.”

“These scammers’ sole aim is to get money from scared and vulnerable young people, with absolutely no regard for their feelings or the potential fallout. In prosecuting this case, we are bringing to justice the men whose actions resulted in truly indelible harm”.

Abiodun pleaded guilty in December 2024 to conspiracy to commit money laundering and wire fraud. Prosecutors said his role was pivotal in channelling the extorted funds from victims to the perpetrators in Nigeria.

His co-accused, Aina, pleaded guilty last month to cyberstalking, interstate threats, and receiving proceeds of extortion, among other charges. He is scheduled to be sentenced on 11 August and faces up to life in prison.

A third suspect, Afeez Adewale, has also been charged but remains in Nigeria, pending extradition.

The US Department of Justice praised the collaboration of Nigerian authorities, including the Attorney General’s office, the Federal Ministry of Justice, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), for their role in apprehending the suspects.

“This case shows the reach of US law enforcement,” Metcalf said. “If you target Americans online from abroad, we will find you — and you will be brought to justice.”

The victim, whose identity was withheld, died by suicide after being targeted in the online sextortion plot..

immortalcrown:
They claim that hardship is what pushes them into crime in Nigeria. But when they go to those countries that are believed to be full of opportunities, they take crimes to higher levels.

immortalcrown:
They claim that hardship is what pushes them into crime in Nigeria. But when they go to those countries that are believed to be full of opportunities, they take crimes to higher levels.

Morbeta11:
https://guardian.ng/news/nigeria/metro/fbi-nabs-nigerian-over-teen-sextortion-gets-five-years/#google_vignette

immortalcrown:
They claim that hardship is what pushes them into crime in Nigeria. But when they go to those countries that are believed to be full of opportunities, they take crimes to higher levels.

Morbeta11:
https://guardian.ng/news/nigeria/metro/fbi-nabs-nigerian-over-teen-sextortion-gets-five-years/#google_vignette

immortalcrown:
They claim that hardship is what pushes them into crime in Nigeria. But when they go to those countries that are believed to be full of opportunities, they take crimes to higher levels.

MrIcredible:
Just 5 years is too small.
It's not fair at all.

badaru911:
... Crime does not pay... Likely to be life sentence for Aina.. his life don waste just for just a small dollar change... The kid that committed suicide because of them ..RIP to him .

immortalcrown:
They claim that hardship is what pushes them into crime in Nigeria. But when they go to those countries that are believed to be full of opportunities, they take crimes to higher levels.

Morbeta11:
https://guardian.ng/news/nigeria/metro/fbi-nabs-nigerian-over-teen-sextortion-gets-five-years/#google_vignette