Philadelphia, USA – A Nigerian national, Samuel Abiodun, 25, has been sentenced to five years in federal prison in the United States after pleading guilty to his involvement in an online sextortion conspiracy that tragically led to the suicide of a teenage boy. The sentencing was handed down on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, by Judge Joel Slomsky of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Abiodun was apprehended in Nigeria alongside an accomplice, Afeez Aina, by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and subsequently extradited to the U.S. in July 2024.
According to U.S. Attorney David Metcalf, Abiodun played a crucial role as a financial intermediary within a criminal network that targeted and extorted vulnerable young individuals online, resulting in devastating consequences. “As the financial middleman, Abiodun played a key role in this sextortion scheme, which thoroughly traumatized the victim and then devastated his family,” Metcalf stated. “These scammers’ sole aim is to get money from scared and vulnerable young people, with absolutely no regard for their feelings or the potential fallout. In prosecuting this case, we are bringing to justice the men whose actions resulted in truly indelible harm.”
Abiodun pleaded guilty in December 2024 to conspiracy to commit money laundering and wire fraud. Prosecutors detailed his pivotal role in channeling extorted funds from victims to the perpetrators operating from Nigeria.
His co-accused, Afeez Aina, pleaded guilty last month to multiple charges, including cyberstalking, interstate threats, and receiving proceeds of extortion. Aina is scheduled for sentencing on August 11, 2025, and faces a potential sentence of up to life in prison. A third suspect, Afeez Adewale, has also been charged and remains in Nigeria, pending extradition.
The U.S. Department of Justice commended the collaborative efforts of Nigerian authorities, including the Attorney General’s office, the Federal Ministry of Justice, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), for their instrumental role in the apprehension of the suspects. U.S. Attorney Metcalf emphasized the global reach of American law enforcement, asserting, “If you target Americans online from abroad, we will find you — and you will be brought to justice.”
The unnamed teenage victim of the sextortion plot tragically died by suicide after being targeted by the scheme.
