International Sextortion Ring Busted: Arrests Made in West Africa Following Rise in Victim Suicides
A significant breakthrough in the fight against online sextortion has been achieved with the recent arrest of four men in Côte d’Ivoire, West Africa. The U.S. Department of Justice announced the arrests, highlighting their involvement in a vast international scheme targeting thousands of victims across the United States, Canada, and Europe.
The individuals apprehended include Alfred Kassi, believed to be the ringleader, along with his alleged accomplices Moussa Diaby, Oumar Cisse, and Oumarou Ouedraogo. These arrests represent a crucial step in dismantling these networks that have contributed to a tragic rise in victim suicides, with at least 30 American boys taking their own lives since 2021 as a direct result of these schemes.
Sextortion schemes typically begin with perpetrators contacting victims through social media platforms. They cultivate trust and rapport, often posing as someone the victim might find attractive or relatable. Once trust is established, the perpetrators convince victims to share sexually explicit photos or videos. Subsequently, the victims are threatened with the public release of these images unless they pay a ransom. This manipulative tactic preys on the victims’ fear of embarrassment, social stigma, and potential harm to their reputations.
The impact of these schemes has been devastating for countless individuals and families. One tragic example cited by prosecutors involves Ryan Last, a 17-year-old high school senior from San Jose, California. In February 2022, Ryan took his own life hours after being sextorted online. He had been communicating with an individual he believed to be a 20-year-old woman and had already paid $150 before the situation became unbearable. His story serves as a stark reminder of the severe emotional distress and sense of hopelessness that sextortion victims experience.
Following their arrest, Diaby and Cisse reportedly admitted to their involvement in Kassi’s sextortion network. These admissions further solidify the evidence against the group and offer crucial insights into the inner workings of their operation.
Authorities have stated that at the time of his arrest, Kassi still possessed the sextortion messages he had sent to the 17-year-old victim. This discovery underscores the calculated and callous nature of the crime and provides compelling evidence of his direct involvement in the young man’s death.
The Justice Department has emphasized that the arrests were made possible through a collaborative investigation with Ivorian law enforcement. This cooperation highlights the importance of international partnerships in combating cybercrime, which often transcends borders.
Oumarou Ouedraogo, believed to be the group’s money launderer, was arrested separately by Ivorian authorities last month. His role was to conceal and transfer the illicit proceeds from the sextortion scheme, making it more difficult for law enforcement to trace the funds.
Due to Côte d’Ivoire’s policy against extraditing its citizens, the accused men will be prosecuted in their home country. While this means they will not face justice in the United States, the Department of Justice has expressed confidence in the Ivorian legal system to hold them accountable for their crimes.
In a related case, Jonathan Kassi, a U.S.-based accomplice, was convicted in a California state court in 2023 and sentenced to 18 months in jail. This conviction demonstrates that individuals involved in sextortion schemes can be held accountable even within the United States, regardless of where the primary perpetrators are located.
The FBI has also been actively engaged in combating financial sextortion. A recent global operation focusing on perpetrators in Nigeria resulted in 22 arrests. Disturbingly, approximately half of these arrests were linked to victims who had committed suicide. This operation underscores the global reach of these crimes and the urgent need for international cooperation. The FBI considers these operations a significant step in protecting children and ensuring that perpetrators are brought to justice.
The FBI has reported a concerning surge in sextortion attempts targeting minors, particularly males between the ages of 14 and 17, who are often contacted through Instagram. Reports to the FBI’s national tip line related to sextortion increased by 30% between October 2024 and March 2025, compared to the previous period.
The number of victims has also dramatically increased, jumping from 34,000 in 2023 to 54,000 in the past year. These victims have suffered an estimated $65 million in financial losses. This significant increase highlights the growing prevalence and severity of the problem.
In its annual report on internet crime, the FBI revealed that complaints of online extortion attempts, including but not limited to sextortion, have more than doubled in recent years, rising from 39,416 in 2022 to 86,415 in 2024. This represents the fastest-growing category of cybercrime, underscoring the urgent need for preventative measures and increased awareness.
Beyond the financial losses, the emotional and psychological consequences for victims and their families are devastating. These schemes inflict deep trauma and can lead to severe mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation.
Julie Cordua, CEO of Thorn, a technology nonprofit, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that financial sextortion poses a grave and growing threat to children, especially teenage boys. She stressed the urgent need for layered protections to keep children safe online.
Both the FBI and experts like Cordua are urging victims of sextortion and their loved ones to seek help. The FBI encourages individuals to contact their local field office, call 1-800-CALL-FBI, or report the crime online through the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). The FBI also provides additional resources on its website to assist victims and their families.
The recent arrests in West Africa represent a significant step forward in combating international sextortion. However, ongoing vigilance, international cooperation, and increased awareness are crucial to protecting vulnerable individuals from these devastating crimes. Educating children and teenagers about online safety, promoting open communication between parents and children, and providing support for victims are essential components of a comprehensive approach to addressing this growing threat.
