U.S. Court Sentences Nigerian Brothers to 18 Years for Deadly Sextortion Scheme

A U.S. court has sentenced Nigerian brothers, Samuel Ogoshi, 24, and Samson Ogoshi, 21, to 18 years in prison for their involvement in a sextortion scheme that resulted in the tragic death of a 17-year-old high school student, Jordan DeMay, from Michigan. The U.S. court sentences Nigerian brothers for sextortion, marking a significant victory in the fight against online exploitation. The brothers will serve 210 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, after targeting over 100 victims, including 11 minors.

The brothers, while living in Nigeria, conducted the sextortion scheme by using hacked social media accounts and posing as young women to manipulate their victims into sending sexually explicit images. After obtaining these images, they threatened to expose the victims unless they paid money through online cash applications. This led to the death of Jordan DeMay, one of their victims, in March 2022.

U.S. Attorney Mark Totten emphasized that this sentencing sends a strong message to criminals involved in such schemes, stating, “The day when you could commit these crimes, rake in easy cash, destroy lives, and escape justice is gone.” He also warned parents and teenagers to remain cautious online, as these platforms can easily connect individuals to global criminal networks.

Attorney General Merrick B. Garland added that the sentencing of the Ogoshi brothers shows that those who commit online sexual exploitation will not evade justice, no matter where they operate. “The Justice Department will find them, no matter where they are, and we will bring them to justice in the United States.”

The brothers were extradited to the United States in August 2023 and pled guilty in April 2024. Their extradition followed extensive investigations by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The FBI noted that this case highlights the importance of spreading awareness about sextortion to prevent further victimization.

The sentencing has brought some closure to the family of Jordan DeMay, but the damage caused by the sextortion scheme has left a lasting impact on countless victims. The U.S. court sentences Nigerian brothers for sextortion, ensuring that they can no longer harm vulnerable individuals around the world.