The FBI has arrested 22 Nigerians accused of running a massive sextortion network blamed for over 20 teen suicides in the United States since 2021, the agency announced on Thursday, April 24.
The arrests were part of Operation Artemis, a first-of-its-kind global crackdown carried out in collaboration with law enforcement agencies from Canada, Australia, Nigeria, and the United Kingdom.
Operation Artemis was launched nearly two years ago after thousands of reports surfaced about teenage boys being lured into sending explicit photos online, only to be blackmailed for money under threats of public exposure.
“At least one arrest is tied directly to an American teen who tragically took their own life,” the FBI revealed.
In these scams, predators—posing as young women—befriend boys online and pressure them into sharing nude photos. Once the minors comply, they are extorted for money, with threats often escalating even after victims pay.
The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) recorded over 34,000 sextortion cases in 2023, which rose to more than 54,000 by 2024. Financial losses tied to sextortion have reached nearly $65 million over the past two years.
Investigations showed heartbreaking stories of young victims desperately trying to negotiate with scammers to protect their privacy. One American father, whose 16-year-old son died by suicide last year, shared, “Imagine someone breaking into your house and hurting your son. This was worse — they scared him into hurting himself.”
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In Nigeria, FBI Special Agent Matthew Crowley interviewed several suspects. One admitted, “It’s easy money. I can move on to the next one if I don’t get any traction,” highlighting the disturbing scale and strategy behind the operations.
With sextortion cases rising sharply worldwide—including 300 new reports monthly in Australia—the FBI warns parents and guardians to be increasingly vigilant about minors’ online interactions.
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