Nigerian man sentenced to five years for involvement in ‘sextortion’ scheme linked to Abington man’s death.

A Nigerian man involved in an online extortion case that led to the tragic suicide of a Montgomery County college student was sentenced to five years in federal prison. Samuel Olasunkanmi Abiodun, aged 25, acted as a money launderer in a scheme that culminated in the death of 20-year-old Jack Sullivan in January 2023. The case highlights the growing phenomenon of “sextortion,” where perpetrators exploit victims through manipulative online relationships.

Court documents revealed that a co-defendant, Imoleayo Samuel Aina, created fake social media accounts impersonating a woman named “Alice Dave,” convincing Sullivan to share intimate images. Following this, Sullivan was subjected to extensive harassment, with demands for money to keep the photos private, culminating in the transfer of over ,000 to accounts controlled by Abiodun, Aina, and a third associate, Afeez Olatunju Adewale. Abiodun’s primary role centered on the operation of a cryptocurrency account that facilitated the concealment of illicit funds.

The harassment escalated tragically when Sullivan, responding to a demand for more funds, indicated that he could not comply. Shortly thereafter, he took his own life near the Jenkintown SEPTA station, an incident that has left his family deeply affected. Sullivan’s parents expressed their profound grief in court, describing their son as curious and adventurous, and lamenting the loss of the time they could have spent with him.

During the sentencing, Abiodun offered an apology, stating he was unaware of the full extent of Aina’s actions and expressed regret for his involvement. U.S. District Court Judge Joel H. Slomsky emphasized the need for a lengthy sentence by citing the complex and deliberate nature of the cybercrimes.

This case is indicative of a broader issue with rising incidents of sextortion, particularly targeting young individuals. According to the FBI, the number of reported cases has surged, with thousands occurring annually and numerous victims tragically taking their own lives as a result. In a bid to combat this alarming trend, law enforcement agencies globally have begun to crack down on networks like the one implicated in Sullivan’s case, often referred to as the “Yahoo Boys.”

Following Sullivan’s death, his parents filed a lawsuit against Meta and Snap Inc., the companies behind the social media platforms exploited by the perpetrators. The legal battle continues as they seek accountability for the role these platforms played in their son’s tragedy.

Abiodun has been incarcerated for 22 months and will be deported upon the completion of his sentence. The case underscores the critical need for heightened awareness and action against online exploitation and cybercrime, a sentiment echoed by Judge Slomsky, who characterized the incident as a “cyber crime of the highest order.”