PHILADELPHIA, USA — A United States federal court has sentenced 25-year-old Nigerian national Samuel Abiodun to five years in prison for his role in a devastating sextortion scheme that resulted in the death of a teenage victim.
In a statement issued Wednesday, June 11, 2025, U.S. Attorney David Metcalf for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania confirmed that Abiodun was sentenced on Tuesday, July 10, 2025, by U.S. District Judge Joel Slomsky.
Abiodun had pleaded guilty in December 2024 to conspiracy to commit money laundering and wire fraud.
According to federal prosecutors, Abiodun acted as a financial conduit in a network of online scammers who targeted vulnerable minors, coercing them into sending explicit content and then extorting them for money under threat of public exposure.
The psychological toll of the extortion ultimately led to the death of one teenager.
“As the financial middleman, Abiodun played a key role in this sextortion scheme, which thoroughly traumatised the victim and then devastated his family,” said Metcalf.
“These scammers’ sole aim is to get money from scared and vulnerable young people, with absolutely no regard for their feelings or the potential fallout.”
The case is part of a broader investigation involving multiple Nigerian nationals.
Abiodun and two accomplices—Afeez Olatunji Adewale, 25, and Imoleayo Samuel Aina (aka “Alice Dave”), 27—were charged in August 2024.
Abiodun and Aina were arrested in Nigeria and extradited to the United States on July 31, 2024, in cooperation with Nigerian law enforcement and judicial authorities.
Aina pleaded guilty in May 2025 to a series of charges, including cyberstalking, interstate threats to injure reputation, receiving proceeds of extortion, money laundering conspiracy, and wire fraud.
He is scheduled to be sentenced on Monday, August 11, 2025.
Adewale, the third suspect, has been charged in absentia and remains in Nigeria pending extradition.
He faces charges of money laundering conspiracy and wire fraud.
“We also want to send a message to others like them that the Department of Justice’s reach is long, and if they keep extorting innocent Americans, they could find themselves in an American prison,” Metcalf said.
The U.S. attorney also acknowledged the critical assistance provided by Nigerian authorities, including the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, the Federal Ministry of Justice’s International Criminal Justice Cooperation Department, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
“This case represents a successful international partnership in the pursuit of justice,” Metcalf noted.
