Authorities in Michigan announced on Sunday that two individuals accused of orchestrating an illicit sextortion network have been extradited to the United States. Samuel and Samson Ogoshi, hailing from Lagos, Nigeria, arrived in the U.S. on Sunday and are scheduled to appear in federal court on Monday.

“Sextortion,” a form of blackmail involving coerced explicit content, has become increasingly prevalent. Scammers pose as others online, manipulate victims into sharing sensitive photos, and then demand payment to prevent the release of these images. The FBI defines this crime, which has affected numerous individuals, particularly youngsters.

In May, prosecutors filed court documents alleging that Samuel Ogoshi, 22, Samson Ogoshi, 20, and Ezekiel Ejehem Robert, 19, all from Lagos, posed as a female on Instagram, interacting with a multitude of victims. One victim, Jordan DeMay, 17, from Marquette, Michigan, tragically took his own life after the trio threatened to publish explicit images he had sent them.

DeMay’s heartbreaking story highlights the tragic impact of this cybercrime. He was coerced into sending a nude photograph, and when he refused to pay the $1,000 demanded by the scammers, they callously responded with words that seemed to exacerbate his distress. This tragic event underscores the serious consequences of sextortion.

The issue of online sextortion has gained substantial attention, with over 7,000 reports involving minors being victimized over the past year. The victims, primarily boys, number at least 3,000, and the FBI reports that several have lost their lives due to the psychological strain caused by this heinous crime.

Mark Totten, the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan, emphasized the gravity of sextortion and vowed to pursue those responsible. He also expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts of the FBI and Nigerian officials, which led to the extradition of the accused individuals.

As of now, court records do not indicate legal representation for Samuel and Samson Ogoshi. This case serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to combat online exploitation and support the victims of these crimes.