17.5 years behind bars: US court verdicts in digital extortion case

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Two brothers from Nigeria will now spend their youth away from home.

In the United States, the trial of sexual exploitation and blackmail of more than 100 people, including 11 minors, has ended. Nigerian nationals Samuel and Samson Ogoshi were sentenced to 17.5 years in prison and 5 years under supervision for participating in an international ransomware network operating on the Internet. In addition, the actions of the two brothers led to the death of a 17-year-old schoolboy from Michigan, who committed suicide after becoming a victim of extortion.

According to the US Department of Justice, the Ogoshi brothers used hacked social media accounts to create fake profiles, posing as young girls. The Ogoshi entered into correspondence with teenagers and other victims, persuading them to send intimate photos. After receiving such materials, the criminals began to blackmail their victims, threatening to distribute the images among their relatives, friends and acquaintances if the victims did not transfer the money. In one of the cases, a 17-year-old teenager could not withstand the pressure.

The prosecutor's office noted that this case is also a reminder for parents and teenagers to be careful when communicating online. Many criminal networks can hide behind seemingly harmless contacts. The agency warned that you need to be careful and not share personal information with strangers.

The investigation showed that at least 11 minors became victims of the scheme. Law enforcement suggests that in addition to the 17-year-old student, there are also other deaths related to similar extortion schemes that are now being investigated in the Western District of Michigan.

The Ogoshi brothers were extradited from Nigeria in August 2023, after which they pleaded guilty. The case also involves another defendant, Ezekiel Robert, who is currently challenging the extradition decision in a Nigerian court. In addition, in August 2023, five US citizens were indicted on suspicion of money laundering related to this network.

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