The FBI arrested 22 Nigerians associated with the S3XTORTION scheme after several victims committed suicide

The United States Federal Investigation Bureau (FBI) has arrested 22 Nigerian citizens in connection with the Sextortion scheme that caused many victims, including American teenagers, committing suicide.

According to a statement by the FBI on Friday, the arrest was made in the first global operating code called “Artemis Operations”, which was carried out in collaboration with law enforcement agencies from Nigeria, Canada, Australia and the UK.

The agency stated in a statement signed by his director, Kash Patel, that about half of the suspects who were arrested were directly associated with the victims who died from suicide after being squeezed.

“Artemis’s operation exemplifies the FBI mission that never ends to protect us the most vulnerable, and to pursue vicious criminals who hurt our children-wherever they hide,” Patel said.

“This operation highlights the critical needs for international cooperation to overcome this developing threat, and this is a battle that we cannot do without our valuable partners around the world.

“We hope this message encourages parents and guardians to continue to educate their children about online safety.

“As a result of the Artemis operation, the FBI investigation caused the arrest of 22 Nigerian subjects, with at least one arrest related to American victims who took their own life.

“Coordinated efforts began almost two years ago when the FBI began to review and link thousands of different reports about targeted teenagers and became victims of social media platforms.

“Victim’s telephone analysis and social media accounts revealed that the narrative of heartbreaking young people who survived in the panic negotiations in the offer to maintain their privacy.

“In this s3xtion case, a minor -usually a boy -is friends online by someone who pretended to be a beautiful girl and was tempted to exchange nude photos.

“When boys are obedient, they suddenly are ordered to send money or risks to be expressed by their intimate photos. Investigators say that even if the victim pays, the demands usually continue and the threat increases.

“During the investigation, the FBI (CEOU) Child Exploitation Operations Unit and all 55 field offices in the US helped identify nearly 3,000 victims. It was found that many actors were based in Nigeria, pushing the surge of FBI personnel to the country.

“A suspect Nigeria was extracted to the US in January and was charged with causing the death of a South Carolina teenager who committed suicide after being squeezed.

“The other two were extracted last year for similar accusations involving a teenager in Pennsylvania. More suspects remain in Nigeria waiting for extradition.

“The Sextortion Scheme involves the perpetrators disguised as romantic interests on social media to deceive the victims to share naked pictures. After being accepted, they blackmail the victims for money and continue the threat even after payment, making the victims experience trauma and isolated.

“FBI operations are supported by their field offices in Atlanta, Charlotte, Columbia, Houston, Jackson, Milwaukee, Nashville, Newark, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Richmond, San Diego, and St. Louis.

“The Nigerian Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Domestic Security Investigation (HSI), and the National Center for Lost and Exploited Children (NCMEC) also played a major role in the operation.

“The FBI urges parents to talk to their children about online safety and encourage victims to report incidents through 1-800-nicknamed or tips.fbi.gov,” the statement said.

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