Cross Abu Cole, Extortion, New York 2023

21-Year-Old Ghanaian Man Sentenced for Sextortion in New York

BUFFALO, N.Y- In a shocking case of online harassment, 21-year-old Cross Abu Cole, a citizen of Ghana, has been sentenced to time served for extortion in New York.

Cole was convicted of interstate communications with intent to extort in a federal court. According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango, who handled the case, Cole improperly accessed an individual’s Snapchat account and obtained nude photographs stored in the account.

The victim, whose name remains undisclosed, received a text message from Cole, using a Google Voice telephone number, demanding payment of $200. If payment was not made, Cole threatened to damage the victim’s reputation by releasing the nude photographs to family and friends.

Initially, the victim made an initial payment of $200 via CashApp as instructed but then cancelled the payment. Subsequently, the victim learned that some of his Snapchat contacts had received the nude photographs.

The investigation, led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Philip Tejera, revealed Cole’s sinister online activities. The sentencing is a result of this thorough investigation.

U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo handed down the sentence, turning Cole over to the Department of Homeland Security. This case serves as a reminder of the dangers of online harassment and the importance of taking measures to protect one’s digital identity.

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