Michigan Teen Takes Own Life Following Sextortion Scam
As a result of a Michigan teen's suicide, federal agents have broken up an international sextortion scam ring that they say targeted over a hundred victims in the US. Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images for New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children

Three men from Nigeria who allegedly committed a sextortion scam that led to the suicide of Michigan teen Jordan DeMay are now in the process of being extradited to the United States.

TV6 reported that the unsealing of a federal indictment accusing three Nigerian men of sexually extorting countless young men and teenage boys in the Western District of Michigan and across the country was announced by US Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten on Wednesday.

DeMay, a 17-year-old resident of Marquette, Michigan, took his own life, and one of these men is facing charges for his death. The Michigan teen was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound on March 25, 2022.

The Marquette County Sheriff's Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) opened an investigation into his death, which led to the unsealing of the indictment on Wednesday.

The defendants, namely Samuel Ogoshi, 22, Samson Ogoshi, 20, and Ezekiel Ejehem Robert, 19, all from Lagos, Nigeria, are charged in a four-count indictment:

  • All three men were charged with Conspiracy to Sexually Exploit Minors by causing the minors to produce child pornographic images, which the defendants used to blackmail the minors.
  • They were charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Child Pornography for sending these pornographic images to minors, their families, and friends.
  • The three Nigerians were also charged with Conspiracy to Commit Stalking Through the Internet for engaging in this sextortion scheme related to minors and young adults.
  • Another count was for Samuel Ogoshi, who was charged with Sexual Exploitation and Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, Resulting in Death for the death of DeMay.

Michigan Teen's Parents Urge 'Tough' Conversations With Kids Following Sextortion Scam

The parents of the Michigan teen who took his own life have called others to have "tough" talks with children about sextortion scams, claiming that it could prevent similar tragedies, ABC News reported.

US Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten claimed that Jordan DeMay committed suicide after being pressured into sending a nude photo of himself by three Nigerian men who posed as women online.

The three men then demanded $1,000 from him after the Michigan teen sent a nude photo of himself. Totten said DeMay told the Nigerian men he would commit suicide because of their mistreatment, to which they responded, "good," and "enjoy your miserable life."

The FBI defines sextortion as a crime in which a person uses a false identity on the internet to solicit, threaten, or intimidate another person into sending sexually explicit material for financial gain.

There have been over 7,000 allegations of internet sextortion of juveniles reported in the past year, with at least 3,000 victims, mostly boys. According to the Department of Justice, the suicide rate among sextortion victims is over a dozen high.

Victims, especially younger ones, may feel guilty about their behavior, but federal officials have emphasized that they are not at fault. According to FBI Special Agent in the Detroit Field Office Jim Tarasca, sextortion cases are rising, with criminals worldwide trying to exploit teens.

FBI Urges Everyone to Be Aware of Sextortion Scam

Jim Tarasca encouraged teens and their parents or guardians to learn more about sextortion and act to prevent others from becoming victims, News-Review reported.

"If you have been financially extorted, remember the predator is to blame. Not your child or you," he said.

Tarasca also suggested the following in the event of a sextortion scam encounter:

  • Use the platform's reporting system to get the perpetrator's account shut down.
  • Do not erase the predator's profile or messages. They may be needed by police enforcement.
  • Before sending any money or additional photographs, consult a responsible adult or the authorities.

Tarasca noted that the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's "Take It Down" program assists victims in limiting the online dissemination of their photographs.

"If you're not ready to speak to the FBI, go to another trusted adult. Say you're being victimized online and need help. Talking about this can feel impossible, but some people want to help you," he added.

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Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Sextortion Scams on the Rise, FBI Says - From ABC7 Chicago