Nigerian Man Extradited to the U.S. for Operating Sextortion Scheme Resulting in Teen’s Death
A tragic case involving a sextortion scheme has led to the extradition of a Nigerian man to the United States. The 24-year-old man, identified as Hassanbunhussein Abolore Lawal from Osun State, Nigeria, has been indicted on multiple charges, including child exploitation resulting in death, production and distribution of child sexual abuse material, coercion and enticement of a minor, cyberstalking resulting in death, interstate threats with intent to extort, and aiding and abetting.
The charges stem from an investigation into the suicide of 17-year-old Gavin Guffey from Rock Hill, South Carolina. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina, Lawal allegedly posed as a young woman on social media and convinced Gavin to send compromising photos. Once Lawal obtained the photos, he began sending harassing messages to the teenager, threatening to leak the photos and ruin his reputation unless he sent money. Lawal is also accused of targeting other members of Gavin’s family with similar demands.
The Tragic Story of Gavin Guffey
Gavin Guffey, a bright and talented 17-year-old, fell victim to the manipulative tactics of Lawal. The teenager initially connected with Lawal on Instagram, where Lawal convinced Gavin to enable “vanish mode” in their chat, allowing messages to disappear after being received. This led to Gavin sharing compromising photos with Lawal, who then demanded money from him. Despite Gavin’s attempts to comply by sending $25, the scammer demanded more and even threatened to end his own life if the photos were leaked. Tragically, Gavin took his own life that evening.
The Devastating Impact and Pursuit of Justice
Following Gavin’s death, Lawal continued his extortion attempts by targeting Brandon Guffey, Gavin’s father and a South Carolina Republican state representative, as well as Gavin’s teenage cousin. The indictment and subsequent extradition of Lawal are the result of extensive coordination between law enforcement agencies in the United States and Nigeria.
U.S. Attorney Adair Ford Boroughs for the District of South Carolina emphasized the importance of holding predators accountable and expressed determination in the fight against sextortion. Steve Jensen, special agent in charge of the FBI Columbia Field Office, condemned Lawal’s reprehensible actions and reaffirmed the commitment to bringing justice to those who endanger the lives of children.
The Consequences for Lawal
If convicted, Lawal could face severe penalties, including a potential life sentence. The charge of child exploitation resulting in death carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 years in prison. Additionally, the court may order Lawal to pay restitution to the family for the losses they incurred due to his alleged scheme.
As the case unfolds, it serves as a harsh reminder of the dangers posed by online predators and the urgent need for increased awareness and vigilance in protecting vulnerable individuals, especially minors, from such schemes.
