Two individuals have been apprehended in Nigeria in connection with an alleged sextortion scheme targeting an Australian schoolboy who tragically took his own life. Australian authorities reveal that the victim had engaged in explicit image exchange online before facing threats and extortion demands.
After an extensive international investigation, the suspects allegedly involved were located in Nigeria and are slated to face legal proceedings.
According to Australian police, the rise of sextortion cases, particularly involving young individuals, has been alarming.
While specifics regarding the victim's age and location in New South Wales (NSW) have not been disclosed to safeguard his family's privacy, New South Wales Police have described the alleged perpetrators as "young males." They reportedly demanded A$500 from the teenager and threatened to disseminate compromising photos to his friends and family.
"The messages are horrific. They're aggressive and put a lot of pressure on the boy to pay the money," stated Matthew Craft, the cyber-crime commander for the police force, as reported by the Sydney Morning Herald (SMH).
Tragically, the boy died by suicide on the same evening of the extortion attempt late last year.
Australian detectives collaborated with counterparts in South Africa and Nigeria to locate the suspects in a Nigerian slum. The BBC reached out to Nigerian authorities for comment.
Evidence suggesting the involvement of the suspects in additional extortion attempts was discovered on their phones, according to SMH. They face charges related to the alleged extortion of the Australian boy, though not directly related to his death.
The rise in sextortion cases globally, particularly targeting vulnerable young individuals, has prompted authorities to urge victims to report such incidents promptly.
Detective Superintendent Craft highlighted a significant increase in sextortion cases, emphasizing the importance of reporting and seeking assistance from law enforcement.
"Sextortion is a very real crime... These arrests in Nigeria show just how far police are willing to go to seek justice on behalf of our young community," Craft stated.
While Nigeria has endeavored to combat internet fraud, the complex nature of cross-border crimes like sextortion presents ongoing challenges for law enforcement. Despite efforts to curb such activities, some individuals in Nigeria still engage in cybercrimes due to economic hardship.
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