A US court has sentenced two Nigerian brothers, Samuel (24) and Samson Ogoshi (21), to 17 years and six months in prison for their involvement in a devastating sextortion scam. The brothers' actions led to the tragic suicide of 17-year-old Jordan DeMay, who was targeted and manipulated by the duo.
The scam unfolded on Instagram, where the brothers posed as a girl of DeMay's age and initiated a friendship. They quickly turned the conversation into flirtation, coaxing DeMay into sending explicit images. Once they had the images, the brothers threatened to broadcast them to DeMay's friends unless he paid them. DeMay, fearing humiliation and rejection, sent as much money as he could and pleaded with the scammers to stop.
Tragically, the brothers continued their demands, callously dismissing DeMay's threats to harm himself. In a chilling response, they told DeMay, "Good... Do that fast, or I'll make you do it." Less than six hours after the conversation began, DeMay took his own life.
DeMay's father, John, described the ongoing nightmares and trauma they've endured. He said the family was forced to leave their home to escape the painful memories.
The Ogoshi brothers were extradited to the US in August last year to face prosecution for numerous cases of sexual extortion involving young men and teenage boys on social media. In April, they pleaded guilty to conspiring to exploit teenage boys in Michigan and across the US sexually.
US Attorney General Merrick Garland during the sentencing emphasised the severity of the brothers' crimes, stating that over 100 victims, including at least 11 minors, fell prey to their scam. Garland warned that online sexual exploitation and extortion will not be tolerated, and perpetrators will be held accountable.
During the sentencing, the brothers apologized to DeMay's family, with Samson stating, "I'm sorry to the family. We made a bad decision to make money, and I wish I could change that." Their defense attorneys attributed their actions to drug abuse and the pervasive sextortion scam culture in Nigeria.The judge condemned the brothers' "callous disregard for life," particularly as they continued targeting victims even after learning of DeMay's tragic death.
