In a tragic conclusion to a case that has gained international attention, two Nigerian brothers, Samuel and Samson Ogoshi, were sentenced to 17½ years in prison by a Michigan judge. Their actions led to the suicide of 17-year-old Jordan DeMay, a high school student from Michigan, in March 2022.
Fox News reported that the Ogoshi brothers were part of a sextortion scheme that coerced the teen into sending explicit photos, resulting in a series of events that ultimately caused him to take his own life.
The two brothers posed as a woman on Instagram by hacking an account to deceive their victims. Jordan DeMay was one of at least 100 individuals caught up in their scheme.
After receiving an explicit photo from DeMay, the Ogoshi brothers blackmailed him, threatening to release the image unless he sent them money. The harassment continued for hours, and the pressure eventually pushed DeMay to suicide.
This case has set a precedent, as it is the first time Nigerian sextortion scammers have been extradited to the United States and sentenced to prison. U.S. Attorney Mark Totten, representing the Western District of Michigan, emphasized the importance of this outcome.
He stated that the sentencing "sends a thundering message" to criminals who believe they can escape justice by operating from outside the U.S.
The FBI and Department of Justice were pivotal in bringing Samuel and Samson Ogoshi to trial. Following their extradition from Nigeria, the brothers pleaded guilty to charges that originally carried the potential for the death penalty.
However, a plea agreement led to a reduced sentence range of 15 to 30 years, with Judge Robert J. Jonker delivering the final sentence of 17½ years on Thursday, September 2024.
Jordan DeMay’s death has highlighted the dangers of sextortion, a crime that disproportionately targets young people. According to the FBI, there were over 13,000 reports of sextortion from October 2021 to March 2023.
Many offenders operate from countries in Africa and Southeast Asia, preying on vulnerable teenagers online. The average age of victims is between 14 and 17 years old, and tragically, there have been at least 20 reported suicides linked to this type of crime.
The Ogoshi brothers' scheme victimized 100 people, including 11 minors, but it was DeMay’s suicide that stood out as a stark example of the crime's severe consequences. FBI Special Agent Cheyvoryea Gibson remarked, “Our hearts and prayers are with the loved ones of Jordan DeMay and those affected by the criminal acts of these individuals.”
During the sentencing, Jordan DeMay’s father, John DeMay, spoke candidly about his son’s death and the aftermath of the case.
He expressed a mixture of relief and frustration, acknowledging the importance of the sentencing but questioning the leniency of the final sentence. "So, now, when we go into the sentencing guidelines... they've already given them a ton of reprieve," he said, referring to the 17-year sentence in contrast to the maximum penalty the brothers could have faced.
He added, “It shows people that [sextortion] is real... this is a legitimate claim.” The DeMay family hopes that Jordan’s tragic story will serve as a warning to other young people and their families about the dangers lurking online.
The case against Samuel and Samson Ogoshi shines a light on the international scope of online sextortion. Criminals based in regions like Africa and Southeast Asia often target victims across the globe, exploiting the anonymity of the internet to carry out their schemes. U.S. Attorney Mark Totten stressed the global nature of the crime, reminding the public that these criminals are not beyond the reach of law enforcement.
Totten urged caution when interacting online, advising young people and their parents to be wary of sharing compromising information. "Don’t assume people are who they say they are," he said. “Don’t share compromising images. And if you’re a victim, please reach out.”
In response to the growing number of sextortion cases, the FBI has prioritized public awareness efforts. Special Agent Gibson reiterated the importance of educating both young people and their families about the tactics used by sextortionists. Many victims, like Jordan DeMay, are drawn in by fraudulent online profiles that appear to be safe but are manipulated by criminals.
To combat this threat, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has launched a service called "Take it Down," which helps victims report and remove explicit images from the internet. U.S. Attorney Mark Totten echoed the importance of such resources, saying, “There’s help, and law enforcement stands ready.”
