Nigerian Jailed Six Years in US for Deadly Sextortion Scheme

A Nigerian national, Imoleayo Samuel Aina, has been sentenced to six years in a United States federal prison for his central role in a ruthless sextortion scheme that tragically contributed to the death of a young man in Pennsylvania. The sentencing marks a significant victory for international law enforcement and highlights the escalating consequences for cyber criminals operating overseas who target vulnerable Americans.

U.S. Attorney David Metcalf announced that Aina, who is 27 years old and was also known by the alias “Alice Dave,” received a sentence of 72 months’ imprisonment, which will be followed by five years of supervised release. Additionally, U.S. District Judge Joel H. Slomsky, who presided over the case in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, ordered Aina to pay $3,250 in restitution. The severe sentence underscores the gravity with which U.S. courts view crimes of digital exploitation that lead to such devastating real-world outcomes.

The investigation that brought Aina to justice was a sophisticated cross-border effort. Aina and his co-conspirator, Samuel Olasunkanmi Abiodun, were arrested in Nigeria after U.S. authorities successfully secured a criminal complaint and warrant. Both men were taken into FBI custody on July 31, 2024, and were subsequently extradited to the United States shortly thereafter. Their arrival led to their indictment in August 2024, alongside a third Nigerian suspect, Afeez Olatunji Adewale, 25, who remains in Nigeria and is currently awaiting extradition proceedings.

The legal process moved swiftly once the suspects were brought stateside. In May 2025, Aina pleaded guilty to a slate of severe offences, including cyber stalking, making interstate threats to harm reputation, receiving extortion proceeds, and money laundering conspiracy. His co-conspirator, Abiodun, 26, later pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy and wire fraud and was sentenced on June 10, 2025, to five years in federal prison. Adewale faces similar charges and is expected to be the next defendant brought before a U.S. court.

U.S. Attorney Metcalf did not mince words, describing Imoleayo Samuel Aina as the “driving force” behind the predatory extortion plot. Metcalf emphasized the profound trauma inflicted not only on the young victim but also on his family, asserting that the Department of Justice will not “stand by when innocent victims in the U.S. are harmed by criminal scammers overseas.” He added that the successful resolution of the case serves as a powerful demonstration of the department’s steadfast determination to track down and prosecute the perpetrators of online exploitation, regardless of their geographical location.

The success was hailed by the FBI, which affirmed its commitment to fighting digital crimes that target young people across international boundaries. Wayne A. Jacobs, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office, noted that the case is a “powerful reminder of the profound harm sextortion inflicts on young people and their families.” He stressed that the sentence delivers a clear, uncompromising message: “whether you are in the United States or operating from abroad, the FBI and our partners will relentlessly pursue you.”

The meticulous investigation that underpinned the successful prosecution was a joint effort between the FBI and the Abington Township Police Department, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Brown leading the prosecution. Crucially, the ability to bring the suspects to the U.S. hinged on extraordinary collaboration between American authorities and multiple Nigerian government agencies. This vital cooperation involved the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, the Ministry of Justice’s International Criminal Justice Cooperation Department, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Further logistical and liaison support was provided by the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and the FBI legal attaché in Abuja, showcasing the global network necessary to combat sophisticated digital transnational crime effectively. This high-profile sentencing sends a stark message to cyber criminals worldwide that digital borders do not offer protection from justice.