In a major international crackdown on online sexual extortion, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has arrested 22 Nigerians accused of running sextortion schemes linked to the deaths of more than 20 teenage boys in the United States since 2021.
The arrests were part of Operation Artemis, a joint initiative involving law enforcement agencies from Nigeria, the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
After nearly two years of investigations, authorities apprehended the suspects, who had been targeting teenage boys on social media platforms.
According to a statement on its website, the FBI revealed that the fraudsters posed as young women online to deceive victims into sending sexually explicit images.
The perpetrators then used these images to blackmail the victims, threatening to expose them unless money was paid. In some cases, even after payments were made, the harassment continued, leading some victims to take their own lives.
“This crime has real victims—children facing devastating consequences,” said Special Agent Karen R., who played a key role in coordinating the FBI’s part in the investigation.
The agency began receiving thousands of reports in 2021, with digital evidence pointing to Nigeria as a major source of the scams. By early 2023, agents from the Child Exploitation Operational Unit, alongside forensic analysts, were able to trace significant activity back to suspects in Nigeria, including cases involving suicide victims.
During the summer of 2023, a temporary command center was set up in Lagos by a combined team from the FBI, the Australian Federal Police (AFP), and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
Working with Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), authorities conducted coordinated raids, tracking suspects through digital footprints.
Michael Wetkas, EFCC’s zone commander, emphasized the importance of local knowledge in the operation’s success, saying, “No matter how skilled the FBI is, knowing the terrain gave us a significant advantage.”
During the arrests, law enforcement officers seized devices containing overwhelming digital evidence, including communications, images, and other data that disproved suspects’ denials.
“You can’t really claim innocence when the proof is right there on your phone,” noted FBI analyst Thomas Million.
Beyond making arrests, officials hope the operation will discourage others, especially as economic challenges and unemployment have driven some Nigerian youths toward cybercrimes.
“They often don’t realize the deep harm they’re causing. To them, it’s just a game,” explained Abba Sambo, an EFCC supervisor.
Michael Ervin of the U.S. Consulate in Lagos stressed that the operation sends a clear warning to criminals that such offenses will not go unpunished.
The FBI and its international partners are still reviewing evidence from the operation and working to identify additional victims. Authorities are urging parents and guardians to educate their children about online risks and to report suspicious activities immediately.
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