A United States court has sentenced a Nigerian national, Chukwudi Christogonus Iwu, to five years in federal prison for his involvement in an international online extortion scheme that tragically led to the death of a teenager.
The 39-year-old was found guilty of participating in a romance and sextortion scam in which victims were lured through fake online profiles into sharing compromising images and personal information. One of the victims, a 17-year-old American high school student, took his own life after being blackmailed and threatened with exposure.
According to court documents, Iwu and his accomplices, operating from Nigeria, posed as young women online to initiate conversations with teenage boys, convincing them to send explicit images. The group would then demand money under threats of public humiliation and distribution of the content.
The U.S. Department of Justice stated that Iwu’s sentence reflects the seriousness of the emotional and psychological harm caused by such crimes, especially on young victims. While Iwu did not directly communicate with the deceased teenager, investigators traced the scam operation back to his accounts and digital devices, linking him to a broader criminal network.
The sentencing sends a strong warning about the dangers of online exploitation and the global efforts underway to crack down on cybercriminals. Authorities have also issued renewed safety guidance for teens and parents to remain vigilant against online predators.
