Four Delaware men face charges for allegedly running an international sextortion scheme targeting thousands across the U.S., U.K., and Canada. Prosecutors revealed that the suspects extorted approximately $1.9 million through CashApp and Apple Pay and attempted to extort an additional $6.9 million. This case highlights the growing issue of cyber crimes involving sextortion, which can have severe financial and emotional consequences for victims.
Comparing this case to previous sextortion schemes, there appears to be a significant increase in the number of victims and the amount of money extorted. Law enforcement agencies have noted a worrying trend in the rise of online sexual exploitation, reflecting the need for heightened vigilance and preventive measures.
Details of the Scheme
The accused men—Sidi Diakite, Almamy Diaby, Abdul Aziz Sangare, and Adoul Aziz Traore, all residents of Wilmington, Delaware—allegedly posed as young females online to lure victims. They engaged with thousands of individuals, including minors, encouraging them to perform sexual acts over web cameras or live video chats. The suspects then used the recorded material to extort money from their victims.
Charges and Penalties
Charges against the suspects include conspiracy to commit cyberstalking, money laundering, and wire fraud. Each suspect faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each conspiracy and money laundering count, in addition to 20 years for each wire fraud count. The Department of Justice has emphasized the severity of these charges and the extensive penalties if convicted.
Broader Implications
The indictment also includes updated charges for suspects previously arrested in Delaware and Cote d’Ivoire as part of the same scheme. This highlights the international scope and complexity of the operation. The FBI has reported a significant increase in sextortion cases recently, underlining the broader implications of this growing cybercrime trend.
Sextortion not only leads to financial losses but can also have devastating emotional impacts, as evidenced by a recent case involving a 17-year-old victim who took his own life. Authorities continue to stress the importance of awareness and reporting to combat these crimes effectively. In a related case, two Nigerian men, Samuel and Samson Ogoshi, were sentenced to over 17 years in prison for their involvement in a similar scheme.
