In a sweeping international crackdown on online sexual exploitation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced the arrest of 22 Nigerian nationals allegedly involved in a widespread sextortion network responsible for the suicides of more than 20 teenage boys across the United States since 2021.

The culmination of nearly two years of relentless investigation, dubbed Operation Artemis, marks one of the largest coordinated global efforts to dismantle a cybercriminal ring exploiting vulnerable youths through social media. The operation involved an unprecedented collaboration between law enforcement agencies from the United States, Nigeria, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

According to an official FBI statement, investigators traced the origins of thousands of sextortion cases back to Nigeria after combing through digital evidence collected since 2021. Agents from the Bureau’s Child Exploitation Operational Unit, alongside forensic analysts, uncovered critical links to suspects operating from Nigeria, many of whom were connected to cases where victims tragically took their own lives under relentless blackmail and emotional distress.

The sextortion schemes typically began with perpetrators posing as young women online, using fake profiles to lure teenage boys into sending sexually explicit images or videos. Once in possession of compromising material, the suspects would extort the victims, threatening to publicly expose the content unless payments were made. In many instances, however, even after victims complied with the demands, the harassment persisted, plunging some into psychological despair.

“This is not a victimless crime,” emphasized Special Agent Karen R., who led the FBI’s involvement in the operation. “These are real children suffering real, devastating consequences.”

Recognizing the transnational nature of the crimes, a joint task force composed of FBI agents, the Australian Federal Police (AFP), and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) established a temporary command post in Lagos, Nigeria in mid-2023. Working closely with Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the team employed advanced digital tracking techniques and coordinated targeted raids to apprehend the suspects.

Michael Wetkas, EFCC’s Zone Commander, underscored the importance of local expertise in the operation’s success. “No matter how skilled the FBI is, they may not navigate our terrain the way we do,” Wetkas explained. “Our familiarity with the local landscape was crucial in locating and apprehending the suspects.”

Devices seized during the arrests yielded substantial digital evidence, including chat logs, explicit materials, and transaction records, which contradicted many suspects' initial denials. FBI analyst Thomas Million described the moment investigators confronted suspects: “You can’t really say you didn’t do it when we’re seeing it right here on your phone.”

While the immediate goal was to neutralize a harmful network, the broader mission was to send a powerful message in Nigeria, where economic instability and high unemployment have driven a troubling rise in cybercrime among young people.

“They don’t actually see the suffering of the victims. To them, it’s just a game,” lamented Abba Sambo, a senior EFCC supervisor.

U.S. officials hope the arrests will serve as a significant deterrent. “An operation like this sends a clear signal to cybercriminals everywhere: their actions will not go unpunished,” declared Michael Ervin, representing the U.S. Consulate in Lagos.

The FBI and its international partners continue to analyze the data seized during the operation and are actively working to identify additional victims. Authorities are urging parents and guardians to engage their children in conversations about online safety and to report any suspicious activity immediately.

As cybercrime tactics evolve, law enforcement warns that vigilance at home remains the first line of defense against exploitation.