Malwarebytes Labs details sextortion plot that led to teen’s suicide
A podcast episode reveals how a Nigerian sextortion ring targeted a Michigan teen, resulting in his death four years ago.
Key points
- Jordan DeMay, 17, died by suicide after being targeted by a sextortion scam on Instagram.
- The attackers were men in Lagos, Nigeria, operating under a fake female profile.
- Malwarebytes Labs published this account to highlight the dangers of online sextortion.
Malwarebytes Labs published a podcast episode detailing how a sextortion conspiracy led to the suicide of a 17-year-old Michigan teen. The story involves Jordan DeMay, who was killed by strangers online four years ago, according to his father, John DeMay.
Jordan received an Instagram friend request from a user named “dani.robertts,” whose profile displayed an attractive young woman. After accepting the request, Jordan chatted with the account about typical teenage topics. The conversation shifted when the user became flirtatious and sent what she claimed was a nude photograph of herself.
Jordan responded by sending an explicit photograph of himself. The account was not operated by a young woman, but by several men located thousands of miles away in Lagos, Nigeria. These attackers followed a script designed to pressure young men into handing over money.
The Mechanics of the Scam
The individuals behind the “dani.robertts” account used a coordinated script to manipulate their victims. This specific sextortion plot was not the first time these men had executed such a scam, according to Malwarebytes Labs. The attackers relied on the victim’s embarrassment and fear to extract financial concessions.
John DeMay described the incident as a murder committed by strangers online. He emphasized that what happened to his son can happen to anyone. The case has affected far too many young men and women today, highlighting the pervasive nature of this type of attack.
Who Is Affected
This incident underscores the vulnerability of teenagers on social media platforms like Instagram. The attackers targeted Jordan while he was at home in Michigan, preparing for a weekend trip. The ease with which strangers can initiate contact and escalate conversations poses a significant risk to young users.
Malwarebytes Labs published this account on the Lock and Code podcast, hosted by David Ruiz. The episode features an interview with John DeMay about his son, his family’s relationship with social media, and what parents should know. The goal is to raise awareness about the realities of online sextortion.
What should you do?
Malwarebytes Labs suggests that parents listen to the full conversation to understand the risks. The organization provides cybersecurity products to protect against online attacks that threaten identity, files, systems, and financial well-being. Users are encouraged to remain vigilant about who they interact with online.
What to do and how to stay safe: Malwarebytes
- Educate children about the risks of sharing explicit images with strangers online.
- Monitor social media interactions for unusual or overly flirtatious behavior from new contacts.
- Verify the identity of online friends before engaging in personal conversations.
- Report suspicious accounts and sextortion attempts to platform moderators and law enforcement.
Step-by-step guide: Mobile Device Security: How to Protect Data Beyond Passwords
General security guidance from the Threat Times newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.
Frequently asked questions
What platform was used to target Jordan DeMay?
Jordan DeMay was targeted on Instagram through a friend request from a fake profile named “dani.robertts.”
Where were the attackers located?
The attackers were men located in Lagos, Nigeria, operating thousands of miles away from their victim.
What is sextortion?
Sextortion is a type of attack where scammers pressure individuals, often using explicit images, to hand over money.
