Thelma Osatohanmwen
In a disturbing turn of events, the tragic suicide of an Australian teenager has been attributed to a s3xtortion scam orchestrated by two suspects based in Nigeria.
Australian police revealed on Monday that the boy took his own life after being threatened by the suspects, sparking an international investigation into the alarming cybercrime.
The suspects, reportedly communicating with the teenager online, demanded Aus$500 (US$330) under the threat of releasing intimate photos of him.
Despite the victim’s refusal to comply, the relentless coercion from the perpetrators led to his untimely death in 2023.
Working closely with authorities in South Africa and Nigeria, Australian law enforcement successfully tracked down the two suspects to a slum area in Nigeria, where they were swiftly apprehended.
While the crimes were committed against an Australian citizen, local authorities in Nigeria possess the jurisdiction to prosecute individuals involved in offenses of this nature.
Australian Federal Police commander, Helen Schneider emphasized the borderless nature of s3xtortion crimes, highlighting the urgent need for international cooperation in combating such exploitation of children.