According to the U.S. Department of Justice, authorities arrested four men on the Ivory Coast for their role in an international program targeting thousands of victims around the world.
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The program targets people throughout the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Spain and Italy, including minors. Among the victims was Ryan Last, a 17-year-old high school student from San Jose.
Authorities said the last time someone planned to attend Washington State University was shot in February 2022 after being pretended to be a 20-year-old woman who committed suicide hours after being twisted online. The teenager has paid $150 to prevent the intimate images he sent to prevent the spread of them.
The evidence that authorities did not disclose eventually led to law enforcement sending to Iverya citizen Cassi who lives on the Ivory Coast. According to the Justice Department, when Kassi was arrested on April 29, messages he was allegedly still sent on the phone demanding payment in exchange for the message that the last photo was not spread.
“We feel[law enforcement officers]haven’t given up and they keep working,” Last mom Pauline Stuart said of the recent arrest. "Unfortunately, it will never bring Ryan back. It's one of those double-edged swords. My son is still gone, but I hope, with this arrest, it brings awareness and scares the liars because they're a little safe in the exotic country. They don't think they're moved."
"My son is still gone, but I hope there is this arrest, which brings awareness and scares the liar," Pauline Stuart shows along with his son Ryan.
(Contributed by Pauline Stuart)
The investigation involving us and Ivorian law enforcement also identified several so-called money laundering accomplices, including Ouedraogo, who said authorities said Kassi helped Kassi move the money he received from the teenager. According to the Ministry of Justice, Ivoria law enforcement arrested Odrago on April 25.
Diaby and Cisse are allegedly part of Kassi’s so-called Sexttort Network and admit their own serrate crimes, according to the Justice Department. American accomplice Jonathan Kassi, who has nothing to do with Alfred Kassi, was convicted in California court in 2023 and sentenced to 18 months in jail.
The Ministry of Justice said the Ivory Coast government did not extradite its citizens, so those arrested will be prosecuted in their own country under Iverian cybercrime regulations.
In a 2022 video posted on the San Jose Police Department’s Facebook page, Stewart describes her son as an upright student who is planning to major in agricultural biotechnology. She said last time he was "a person who was very trusting" and he was called by someone who flirted with and showed interest in him.
"This is one of the huge problems with social media," Stewart said. "People can pretend to be anyone."
According to CNN, the scammer sent the last nude photo and asked for a return. The scammer then asked for $5,000, threatening to promote the photo and send it to family and friends on Last. The total was later dropped to $150 after saying he could not pay the entire amount.
Stewart said the liar “continue to hunt him down” once her son sent the money.
Stuart told Times that he had a last apology because he wasn't smart enough.
"He didn't realize these people were using him, and he was scared of what it was doing to us," Stewart said.
Stewart said the scam was unfolding despite their parents’ control over their son’s phone and app. She urged parents to talk to their children so that they can feel comfortable with any mistakes.
"We just need to make sure our kids know you'll be there and they're everything for you," Stewart said. "We're doing it right and it's worth it."
The FBI's Sacramento office warned parents last year that one in seven threats are growing.
The FBI said that from October 2021 to March 2023, the FBI and Homeland Security Survey received more than 13,000 reports of minors selling online financially. One in seven involved at least 12,600 victims (mainly boys) and caused at least 20 suicides.
The FBI said that from October 2022 to March 2023, its financially motivated sales incidents involving minors increased by at least 20% compared to the previous year.
“Our offices cover 34 California counties and reported sales incidents have increased significantly, most of which involve financial sales,” Sean Ragan, a special agent with the FBI’s Sacramento Field Office, said in a 2024 press release.
“We urge victims to retain all evidence and seek help quickly,” Ragan said. “Even if it’s embarrassing, don’t delete any communication. We protect and support Sexttort’s victims to ensure they are connected to the resources needed to recover.”
Suicide prevention and crisis counseling resources
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please ask a professional for help and call 9-8-8. The U.S.’s first triple-digit mental health crisis hotline nationwide will be linked to a trained mental health consultant. In the United States and Canada, the text is 741741 to reach the crisis text line.