Bureau of Public Affairs | Nigerian brothers convicted of sextortion scheme that resulted in teen’s death

The Department of Justice announced today that Samuel Ogoshi, 24, and Samson Ogoshi, 21, both of Lagos, Nigeria, were each sentenced to 210 months in prison and five years of supervised release for conspiracy to sexually exploit minors. On March 25, 2022, 17-year-old high school student Jordan DeMay of Marquette, Michigan, died as a result of this sextortion scheme, which targeted more than 100 other victims.

“These defendants sexually exploited and extorted more than 100 victims, including at least 11 minors, resulting in the tragic death of a 17-year-old high school student,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “These sentences should serve as a warning that perpetrators of online sexual exploitation and extortion cannot escape accountability for their heinous crimes by hiding behind their phones and computers. The Department of Justice will find them, wherever they are, and we will bring them to justice in the United States.”

“Today’s sentencing of Samuel and Samson Ogoshi sends a thunderous message,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten for the Western District of Michigan. “To the criminals who carried out these plans: You are not immune from justice. We will hunt you down and hold you accountable, even if it takes us halfway around the world to do so. The day when you could commit these crimes, make easy money, destroy lives, and evade justice is over. And to parents, teens, and everyone else who uses a cell phone: please be careful. These devices can connect you to criminal networks around the world. Don’t assume people are who they say they are. Don’t share compromising images. And if you are a victim, reach out. Help is available and law enforcement is ready.”

“The conviction of sextortionists Samuel and Samson Ogoshi ensures that both international criminals will no longer victimize minors in the United States or anywhere else in the world,” said Special Agent in Charge Cheyvoryea Gibson of the FBI Detroit Field Office. “Raising awareness about sextortion is a top priority for the FBI here in Michigan. Our hearts and prayers are with Jordan DeMay’s loved ones and those affected by the criminal acts of these individuals.”

At a press conference today, U.S. Attorney Totten stressed the magnitude of the threat and the need for vigilance, saying that multiple other deaths related to sextortion are under investigation in the Western District of Michigan.

As detailed in their plea agreements (here and here ), Samuel and Samson Ogoshi engaged in a scheme while living in Nigeria to sexually exploit more than 100 victims, including at least 11 identified minors. They purchased hacked social media accounts and used them to pose as young women, creating fake profiles and using the messaging function on the social media accounts to contact victims. They researched their victims online to find out where they lived, went to school, worked, and the identities of their family and friends. They then asked their minor victims to take sexually explicit images of themselves. After receiving the images, they would create a collage of photos that included the sexually explicit image with other images of the victim and their school, family and friends. The Ogoshi brothers threatened to release the collages to the victim’s family, friends and classmates unless the victim agreed to pay money through online cash applications.

In November 2022, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan charged Samuel Ogoshi, Samson Ogoshi, and Ezekiel Robert, all Nigerian citizens, with the sextortion scheme that resulted in the death of Jordan DeMay. The Ogoshi Brothers were extradited to the United States in August 2023 and pleaded guilty in April. On March 21, a Nigerian court ordered Robert to be extradited to the United States. He has appealed the decision, and the case is before the Nigerian Supreme Court.

Additionally, on August 2, U.S. Attorney General Totten announced that a federal indictment had been unsealed in a separate case charging five U.S.-based defendants with conspiracy to launder money to facilitate the sextortion scheme.

The FBI, Marquette Sheriff’s Department and the Cybercrimes Unit of the Michigan State Police in Marquette are investigating the case, with cooperation and assistance from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission of Nigeria. The Office of International Affairs of the Department of Justice, Department of State and the Nigerian Attorney General’s Office – Ministry of Justice provided critical assistance in securing the arrest and extradition of the suspects.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel Mekaru and Davin Reust for the Western District of Michigan are prosecuting the case.

Safety Tips and Resources for Victims, Teens, and Parents

The FBI offers the following tips on how people can protect themselves from sextortion practices:

1. Be selective about what you share online. If your social media accounts are open to the public, a predator can learn a lot about you.
2. Be wary of anyone you meet online for the first time. Block or ignore messages from strangers.
3. Be aware that people can pretend to be anything or anyone online. Videos and photos are not proof that people are who they say they are. Images can be altered or stolen. In some cases, predators have even taken over their victims’ social media accounts.
4. Be suspicious if you meet someone on a particular game or app and that person asks you to talk on another platform.
5. Be aware. Any content you create online — whether it’s a text message, photo, or video — can be made public. And nothing really “disappears” online. Once you send something, you have no control over where it goes next.
6. Be prepared to ask for help. If you receive messages or requests online that are not appropriate, block the sender, report the behavior to the site administrator, or go to an adult. If you have been a victim online, tell someone. Being a victim of sextortion is not your fault. You can overcome this challenge, even if it seems scary and overwhelming. There are people who want to help.

If you have information or believe you are a victim of sextortion, contact your local FBI field office, call 1-800-CALL-FBI, or report it online at tips.fbi.gov. This FBI PSA and National Center for Missing and Exploited Children PSA share survivor stories and resources for individuals to get help. More FBI sextortion resources are available here.