This article addresses the sensitive topic of suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please reach out to the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
“If you cooperate with me, I promise not to expose you,” a Nigerian man pretending to be a woman on Instagram messaged 17-year-old Jordan DeMay in March 2022 before the Michigan teen tragically took his own life.
John DeMay, Jordan’s father, shared with Fox News Digital, “My son was intelligent, a good student, and a talented athlete. Someone entered his room at 3 a.m. and committed a heinous act through Instagram while we were all asleep, leaving us helpless to prevent it.”
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The main suspect in Jordan’s death, 22-year-old Samuel Ogoshi, along with two others from Lagos, was recently arrested for allegedly hacking Instagram accounts and engaging in sexual extortion, targeting over 100 young men online.
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According to the FBI, sextortion is a severe crime where perpetrators threaten to expose a victim’s private information unless they provide sexually explicit content or money.
In Jordan’s case, he began conversing with an individual he believed to be a woman on Instagram under the username “dani.robertts.” Although the account was legitimate, it had been compromised and sold to Ogoshi, who coerced young men into sending explicit photos. Allegedly, he used these photos to extort money from them, as per the FBI.
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“I can distribute these images to everyone and circulate your photos until they go viral,” Ogoshi threatened DeMay, a senior football player at Marquette Senior High School, after receiving an explicit photo from the 17-year-old.
“Just pay me now,” Ogoshi demanded over Instagram. “If you comply, I won’t expose you.”
“How much?” Jordan inquired.
Ogoshi requested $1,000. Jordan sent $300, but Ogoshi demanded more, threatening to reveal the photo to Jordan’s loved ones and peers if he did not comply.
Shortly after, Jordan informed Ogoshi of his intention to end his life.
“Good,” Ogoshi callously responded. “Do it quickly. Otherwise, I will force you. I swear.”
Ogoshi was charged by federal authorities for causing DeMay’s tragic demise.
The heartbreaking story of the 17-year-old football player is not an isolated incident in the United States or globally. Teens nationwide are falling prey to sextortion on various social media teeming with anti-Semitic tirades, prosecutors say”>social media platforms.
As Jordan grew older, his father, John DeMay, reduced his monitoring of Jordan’s phone activities, a common practice as teenagers approach adulthood.
“I stopped overseeing his social media usage. I restricted his access to social media for a significant period,” DeMay revealed. “I monitored his phone extensively, tracking his location, messages, and restricting his phone usage.”
Michigan Family Sounds Alarm on Son’s ‘Sextortion’ Suicide After Arrests of 3 Nigerian Men
Online extortion and cybercrimes have become prevalent issues in today’s digital age, with unsuspecting individuals falling victim to predators who exploit technology for malicious intent. The recent case of a Michigan family shedding light on their son’s tragic suicide linked to a ‘sextortion’ scheme involving three Nigerian men has once again highlighted the dangers lurking in cyberspace.
The Heartbreaking Story
The family of a 19-year-old college student from Michigan has come forward to share their devastating experience with ‘sextortion’ after their son tragically took his own life. According to reports, the young man had been targeted by a group of three Nigerian men who used fake online personas to deceive him into sharing intimate photos and videos.
Once in possession of compromising material, the perpetrators threatened to release the content unless the victim paid exorbitant sums of money. Despite his family’s efforts to intervene and seek help, the emotional distress and shame proved too overwhelming for the young man, leading to his untimely death.
The Arrest of the Perpetrators
Following an investigation by law enforcement agencies, the three Nigerian men responsible for orchestrating the ‘sextortion’ scheme were apprehended and charged with cyber-related crimes. The arrests shed light on the sophisticated tactics employed by cybercriminals to manipulate and exploit vulnerable individuals for financial gain.
The Michigan family’s courage in coming forward to share their son’s story has served as a wake-up call for the public to remain vigilant and protect themselves from online predators. By raising awareness about the dangers of ‘sextortion’ and cybercrimes, they hope to prevent similar tragedies from befalling others.
Practical Tips for Online Safety
As the prevalence of online extortion and cybercrimes continues to rise, it is essential for individuals to remain vigilant and take proactive measures to protect themselves from potential threats. Here are some practical tips to enhance online safety:
- Avoid sharing personal information with strangers online
- Be cautious when interacting with individuals on social media platforms
- Do not engage in explicit conversations or share intimate photos/videos online
- Use strong, unique passwords for all accounts and enable two-factor authentication
- Regularly update security software and anti-virus programs on your devices
Case Studies and Firsthand Experiences
Countless individuals have fallen victim to ‘sextortion’ and cybercrimes, with devastating consequences for both themselves and their loved ones. By sharing real-life case studies and firsthand experiences, we can underscore the importance of online safety and raise awareness about the risks posed by malicious actors in the digital realm.
| Case Study | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Teenage girl blackmailed by online predator | Victim’s family seeks help from authorities and prevents further harm |
| Business executive targeted in email phishing scam | Company implements cybersecurity protocols to safeguard sensitive information |
By learning from these experiences and taking proactive steps to protect ourselves and our loved ones, we can help mitigate the risks associated with online extortion and cybercrimes. Together, we can create a safer digital environment for all individuals.
In Conclusion
The Michigan family’s tragic ordeal serves as a sobering reminder of the grave consequences of ‘sextortion’ and cybercrimes. By remaining vigilant, raising awareness, and implementing stringent security measures, we can safeguard ourselves and our loved ones from falling prey to online predators.
Let us honor the memory of those who have been victimized by cybercriminals by taking proactive steps to enhance online safety and protect ourselves from malicious intent in the digital realm.
