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Alleged members of a global sextortion operation that targeted more than 100 victims and led to the death of a 17-year-old boy were extradited to the United States on Sunday to face federal criminal charges, authorities said.
That charge stems from an alleged online encounter that investigators say resulted in the death of 17-year-old Jordan DeMay, who died by suicide after falling victim to a sextortion scam.
The FBI defines sextortion as an online scheme in which a perpetrator using a false identity solicits an explicit photo from an unsuspecting individual and then threatens to publicly release the image unless the victim provides payment.
Officials have ramped up public campaigns warning parents of the danger and launched global investigations with foreign partners in an attempt to locate and arrest perpetrators, CNN has reported.
“This was a multifaceted investigation that involved identifying hundreds of victims, following the digital footprints left behind by these sextortionists on the Internet,” said Devin Kowalski, acting FBI special agent in charge.
Federal investigators will continue their global disruption efforts, Totten said Sunday following the extradition: “To those engaging in this crime, understand that we will travel the world to find you and hold you accountable.”