Sextortion Scams Targeting U.S. Teens Linked to Nigerian Black Magic Rituals, Causing Suicides
Sextortion scams, predominantly originating from Nigeria, are increasingly targeting U.S. teenagers, leading to suicides and significant financial losses. Cybercrime expert Paul Raffile and former prosecutor Erin West investigated these operations in Nigeria, uncovering a disturbing link to black magic rituals. Scammers, often referred to as 'Yahoo Boys' or 'BM Boys,' use fake social media profiles to coerce teen boys into sending explicit photos, then extort them for money under threat of exposure. These scammers reportedly engage witch doctors to perform rituals involving animal sacrifice and charms, believing these practices will 'bless' their scams and ensure success. Since 2021, at least 40 U.S. teenage boys have died by suicide due to these scams, with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children receiving nearly 100 reports daily. In 2024, the FBI reported $33.5 million lost to sextortion scams, a figure believed to be significantly underreported due to victim shame. 
