In a landmark operation, the FBI, alongside law enforcement partners from Canada, Australia, Nigeria, and the United Kingdom, launched Operation Artemis to combat financially motivated sextortion schemes originating in Nigeria. This operation resulted in the arrest of 22 Nigerian suspects, with many linked to tragic cases of suicide among victims coerced into sextortion schemes.
Operation Artemis aimed to address the growing concerns over sextortion-related suicides, many of which were tied to Nigerian perpetrators. The operation also revealed that nearly half of those arrested were connected to victims who had tragically taken their own lives. This represents a significant step forward in the fight against child exploitation, as perpetrators hiding behind screens are increasingly held accountable.
FBI Director Kash Patel emphasized the operation’s importance in protecting vulnerable children and stressed the need for international cooperation to combat this escalating threat. The FBI has seen a 30% increase in sextortion-related reports, with over 54,000 victims in 2024 alone—up from 34,000 in 2023. This surge in cases has resulted in nearly $65 million in financial losses over the past two years.
The FBI’s Child Exploitation Operational Unit, working with its field offices, identified nearly 3,000 sextortion victims across the U.S. and around the world. The operation’s success has led to extraditions, including the transfer of Nigerian suspects to the U.S. to face charges related to the deaths of several young victims.
The sextortion schemes typically involved suspects posing as peers or potential romantic interests on social media, coercing victims into sharing compromising images. The perpetrators then threatened to release these photos unless payment—often via gift cards, mobile services, or cryptocurrency—was made. Regardless of payment, the manipulation continued, leaving victims feeling ashamed and isolated.
Operation Artemis underscores the FBI’s commitment to protecting children globally and highlights the need for continued vigilance and education on online safety.
Source: Swifteradio.com
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