PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Two men from Nigeria are charged with sexually extorting a Philadelphia-area college student who killed himself when the men allegedly kept asking for money he didn’t have.
According to the federal indictment, the student was tricked into thinking he was messaging on SnapChat with someone who is described as an attractive, young woman, and was coerced into sending illicit images.
Authorities say he wasn’t messaging with a woman, but rather a 26-year-old Nigerian man named Imoleayo Aina.
The indictment says the extortion is part of “a trend of foreign based organized groups (sic)” who target Americans with a similar scheme. They’ll ask for nude photos or videos, then threaten to release the material unless the victim sends money.
According to the indictment, Aina threatened the student, saying if he didn’t send money, Aina would send the photos to the student’s family, and print and paste them on walls around the student’s college campus.
The student paid $1,000, but according to investigators, because he didn’t have more money, he stepped in front of a train.
KYW Newsradio is withholding details of the suicide and other identifying information about the victim at the request of local authorities in communication with his family.
Aina has been extradited to the U.S., and is charged federally with cyberstalking, interstate threat to injure reputation, and receiving proceeds of extortion, wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy.
Samuel Abiodun, 24, has also been extradited and is charged with conspiracy and wire fraud, accused of helping Aina collect the money.
Aina faces a maximum life sentence, while Abiodun faces 40 years in prison.
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Dial 988 for 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources.