Brandon D. Kane, Extortion, Massachusetts 2023
Extortion Ring Exposed in Massachusetts
A brazen extortion scheme has been uncovered in Eastern Massachusetts, where a Maryland man used an online dating website to meet and extort his victims.
Brandon D. Kane, 27, of Baltimore, pleaded guilty to making extortionate threats in interstate commerce, a federal offense that carries a maximum sentence of up to two years in prison, one year of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.
The scheme involved Kane meeting his victims through an online dating website and then making unauthorized videos of them engaging in illicit drug use or sexual activity with him. He would then threaten to release the videos to their families and employers unless his victims paid him.
Kane was arrested in April 2023 and is currently awaiting sentencing, which is scheduled for January 11, 2024, in U.S. District Court before Judge Patti B. Saris.
The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division, with the support of Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica Soto and Benjamin Tolkoff are prosecuting the case.
The case serves as a reminder of the dangers of online dating and the importance of being cautious when meeting strangers. It also highlights the importance of law enforcement agencies working together to bring perpetrators to justice.
As the investigation continues, authorities urge anyone who may have been a victim of Kane's extortion scheme to come forward and report any incidents.
Key Facts
- State: Massachusetts
- Category: Cybercrime|Violent Crime|Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →