Nigerian extradited to US for alleged sextortion scheme that led to SC teen’s suicide
Nigerian Man Extradited to the U.S. in Connection with Teen’s Suicide Due to Sextortion Scheme
A tragic incident involving the death of a South Carolina teenager has led to the extradition of a Nigerian man to the United States. Hassanbunhussein Abolore Lawal, a 24-year-old from Osun State, Nigeria, has been indicted on several charges related to a sextortion scheme that resulted in the death of 17-year-old Gavin Guffey of Rock Hill, South Carolina.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina revealed that Lawal is facing charges such as 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 indictment alleges that Lawal posed as a young woman on social media and persuaded Gavin to send compromising photos. Once the photos were sent, Lawal allegedly began harassing the teenager and threatened to expose the photos unless he paid money. This extortion scheme ultimately led to Gavin’s tragic decision to take his own life in July 2022.
Gavin’s father, Brandon Guffey, a state representative in South Carolina, shared the heartbreaking details of how his son fell victim to Lawal’s scheme. The perpetrator initiated contact with Gavin on Instagram, where they engaged in conversation and exchanged photos. When the scammer demanded money from Gavin and threatened to release the photos, Gavin felt helpless and took his own life.
Following Gavin’s death, the perpetrator targeted Brandon Guffey and Gavin’s teenage cousin on Instagram, continuing to demand money from them. The impact of this sextortion scheme extended beyond Gavin’s tragic passing, causing further distress to his family members.
The FBI and law enforcement agencies worked tirelessly to investigate the case and bring Lawal to justice. Steve Jensen, special agent in charge of the FBI Columbia Field Office, condemned Lawal’s actions as reprehensible and emphasized the commitment to holding criminals accountable, especially those who target vulnerable individuals like children.
If convicted, Lawal could face up to life in prison, with a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 years for the charge of child exploitation resulting in death. Additionally, the court may order Lawal to pay restitution to the family for the losses incurred as a result of his alleged scheme.
The tragic death of Gavin Guffey serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers of online predators and the devastating consequences of sextortion. It is essential for individuals to be cautious when interacting with strangers online and to seek help if they or someone they know is experiencing thoughts of suicide. The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available for immediate assistance at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
