• Scammer pretends to be wealthy or influential to gain trust.
• Offers fake financial opportunities or romantic relationships as bait.
• Victims send explicit material, believing they are in a private exchange.
• The scammer demands money to prevent the release of sensitive content.
• Funds are often laundered through cryptocurrency or offshore accounts.

5. Obinwanne Okeke (Invictus Obi) Sextortion Fraud (2019)

Obinwanne Okeke, a Nigerian businessman, was arrested for fraud and sextortion, manipulating victims into sending explicit images and extorting them for money.

Steps:

1. Online Persona Fabrication – Okeke created fake social media profiles presenting himself as a wealthy businessman and philanthropist to attract potential victims.
2. Victim Engagement – He initiated online relationships, promising financial rewards or romantic involvement to persuade victims into sharing intimate content.
3. Blackmail & Financial Fraud – After receiving the explicit content, he threatened to leak the material unless they paid him money.
4. Cryptocurrency Laundering – He processed the extorted funds through crypto wallets and offshore accounts, making it difficult for authorities to trace the money.
5. FBI Investigation & Arrest – U.S. law enforcement tracked his fraud activities, leading to his arrest and a 10-year prison sentence.