LAGOS, Nigeria – The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced on Friday, April 25, 2025, that it had arrested 22 Nigerian nationals in a significant global operation aimed at tackling online sextortion scams that have contributed to a disturbing rise in suicides among American teenagers.
The operation, named “Operation Artemis,” involved law enforcement agencies from Nigeria, the U.S., Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
The suspects, allegedly part of a larger network, are accused of targeting teenage boys, particularly aged 14 to 17, by posing as young women on social media platforms.
After establishing trust with their victims, the perpetrators coerced the boys into sharing explicit images.
The offenders then demanded payment via gift cards, mobile payments, or cryptocurrency, threatening to release the compromising content publicly if their demands were not met.
In many cases, the harassment continued even after payments were made, leaving victims in despair and, tragically, driving more than 20 minors to take their own lives.
“This is not a victimless crime,” said Special Agent Karen R., who coordinated the FBI’s efforts in the operation.
“These are real children suffering real consequences.”
According to the FBI‘s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), there were over 54,000 sextortion-related complaints in 2024, a significant increase from 34,000 in 2023.
Over the last two years, the FBI reported nearly $65 million in financial losses attributed to this crime.
The FBI’s investigation began in 2021 and quickly uncovered the scale of the operation, linking many of the perpetrators to Nigeria.
The investigation also revealed that some victims had died by suicide after being extorted.
In collaboration with the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the FBI established a temporary command post in Lagos in 2023.
Working closely with Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the agencies executed raids and seized devices containing crucial digital evidence, including communications and images that directly contradicted suspects’ claims of innocence.
“We know the terrain very well, and that was crucial to the success of this operation,” said Michael Wetkas, EFCC zone commander.
The operation, which is being hailed as a major step in combating sextortion, also highlights the growing concern in Nigeria, where economic hardships and widespread unemployment have reportedly driven some youth towards cybercrime.
The FBI’s efforts were not limited to arrests; they aimed to send a strong message to criminals exploiting vulnerable children.
“An operation like this is a strong message to criminals that their acts will not go unpunished,” said Michael Ervin, a U.S. Consulate official in Lagos.
The international cooperation involved in the operation underscores the need for global action to address the rising tide of online exploitation, and it highlights the crucial role parents and guardians play in safeguarding children against such crimes.
Authorities are urging families to engage in open discussions about online safety and to report any suspicious online activities.
The suspects arrested in “Operation Artemis” face extradition to the United States to face charges related to sextortion and the deaths of minors.
Some have already been extradited, and more are expected to follow.
The FBI continues to analyse the digital evidence seized during the operation, while also working to identify additional victims of this devastating crime.
