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17-year-old Ryan Last from Morgan Hill, California died by suicide in 2022 after being sextorted. Authorities recently arrested four men linked to the case in West Africa.
Ryan, who was catfished by someone pretending to be a 20-year-old woman on social media, paid the scammer $150 to prevent his private photos from being circulated. The scammer initially shared a nude photo and then asked Ryan to send a picture of himself in return. But the conversation immediately turned criminal when the person behind the screen started demanding money and threatened to expose those images. A few hours after the sextortion incident, Ryan took his life, according to the CNN report.
The search for those responsible led law enforcement to West Africa. In April 2025, four men were arrested in Côte d'Ivoire: Alfred Kassi, Oumarou Ouedraogo, Moussa Diaby, and Oumar Cisse. Authorities say Kassi was the main blackmailer, while the others helped launder the money and kept the scam going. This international effort involved the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Department of Justice, San Jose Police, Meta, and Ivorian officials working together to bring the suspects to justice.
Ryan’s story isn’t unique, the FBI reported a sharp rise in sextortion cases involving minors. Between late 2021 and early 2023, more than 13,000 incidents were reported, mostly involving teenage boys. According to the report, over 20 teens have died by suicide linked to these scams in that period alone.
The scammers pose as teenage girls on apps like Instagram or Snapchat and slowly build trust. Once they get their victims to send private photos, the blackmail begins. They threaten to share those photos with family, friends or online if the victims don’t pay up. They usually ask for money through gift cards, cryptocurrency, or other methods. However, paying them doesn’t guarantee safety; often, the threats continue.
Ryan’s mother, Pauline Stuart, talked about how terrified he was of how people would see him if the photos leaked—how that fear pushed him over the edge.
“The consequences of sextortion are being felt across the country. In an effort to protect the American public, the FBI encourages parents, educators, caregivers, and children to learn more about the steps they can take to shield themselves and their loved ones from this crime. We and our partners will relentlessly pursue criminals who perpetuate this deplorable activity," FBI Director Christopher Wray said.
The FBI also urged parents and caregivers to have open, honest conversations with their children about the risks of online activity. They recommend teaching teens about privacy and safe communication and encouraging them to speak up if something feels wrong. Reporting suspicious activity quickly to authorities can save lives.
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