Two Nigerian Brothers Sentenced to Over 17 Years in U.S. for Sextortion Leading to Teen’s Suicide

Two Nigerian brothers, Samuel Ogoshi, 24, and Samson Ogoshi, 21, have been sentenced to 17 years and six months in prison by a U.S. court for their role in a sextortion scam that led to the tragic suicide of a 17-year-old American teenager, Jordan DeMay.

The brothers, posed as a young woman on Instagram to deceive DeMay into sending explicit images, which they then used to blackmail him for money.

The incident unfolded in March 2022 when DeMay, a high school student from Michigan, began receiving messages from the scammers. Within hours of being blackmailed, DeMay took his own life.

This case marks the first successful prosecution of Nigerian nationals in the U.S. for sextortion, a growing form of cybercrime often linked to Nigeria.

In court, DeMay’s mother, Jenn Buta, tearfully expressed her devastation, stating, “I am shattered to my core,” while holding a picture of her son.

Despite the conclusion of the trial, she said there could be no real justice in the face of such a loss.

The brothers had initially reached out to DeMay through a fake Instagram account, pretending to be a girl his age. After obtaining explicit photos, they demanded money and threatened to release the images if he didn’t comply.

DeMay sent what he could, but when he warned the scammers that he would take his own life if they followed through, they cruelly responded, “Good… Do that fast – or I’ll make you do it.” Shortly after, DeMay was found dead by his family.

During the trial, it was revealed that the Ogoshi brothers had targeted at least 38 other victims across the U.S., including 13 minors. Prosecutors noted that the brothers continued their sextortion activities even after learning of DeMay’s suicide.

Both brothers pleaded guilty in April to charges of conspiring to sexually exploit minors. In court, they expressed remorse, with Samson Ogoshi apologizing to the DeMay family and acknowledging their actions were driven by financial desperation.

The sentencing follows a complex investigation that involved U.S. authorities tracking the brothers to Nigeria, where they were successfully extradited to face trial. Another Nigerian man connected to the case is currently fighting extradition.

Meanwhile, Nigerian authorities are working with international law enforcement to combat the rise in cybercrime.

Professor Adedeji Oyenuga, a cybersecurity expert from Lagos State University, expressed hope that the sentencing would serve as a deterrent, stating that the case has already sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s cybercrime circles.