FBI-led Operation Artemis arrests 22 Nigerians over $65 million sextortion scam

The Federal Bureau of investigation (FBI)'s Operation Artemis has reported over $65 million in financial losses, due to sextortion crimes, with some cases linked to Nigerian nationals.

• Operation Artemis launched in response to a reported 30% surge in sextortion-related information
• Collaboration with Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom to tackle sextortion crimes linked to Nigerian nationals
• FBI investigations led to the arrests of 22 Nigerian subjects connected to financially motivated sextortion schemes

The FBI has announced positive impacts from Operation Artemis, a global effort aimed at dismantling sextortion rings operating across multiple countries with the operation's focal point was Nigeria, identified as a central hub for perpetrators exploiting American minors through online platforms.

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The agency revealed in an April 24 statement, that it has deployed resources and law enforcement personnel from Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom to collaborate with the Economic Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), its Nigerian counterpart.

This joint effort aimed to tackle disturbing trends of sextortion-related crimes, which have tragically contributed to suicides among teenagers in the United States, Canada and Australia, with alleged involvement with Nigerian Fraudsters.

Operation Artemis targets Nigeria

Operation Artemis, a first-of-its-kind initiative on Nigerian soil, was launched by the FBI in response to a reported 30% surge in sextortion-related information gathered at its National Threat Operations Center from October 2024 to March 2025.

​Operation Artemis has been instrumental in addressing the alarming rise in such crimes, which have led to tragic outcomes, including suicides among victims

‘As a result of Operation Artemis, FBI investigations led to the arrests of 22 Nigerian subjects connected to financially motivated sextortion schemes.”

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“Over the last two years, there have been nearly $65 million dollars in financial losses due to this crime,” the FBI stated.

According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) reported victims exceeded 54,000 in 2024, from 34,000 in 2023. The investigations, in part, were launched nationwide to provide answers and closure to grieving American families.

FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that the investigation is an important step in combating child exploitation and aiming to bring Justice and accountability to international perpetrators.

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