Ghanaian In US Sentenced 7 Months Over $200 Snapchat Extortion Scheme
- Cross Abu Cole, a Ghanaian in the US was sentenced for Snapchat extortion after seven months in custody
- Cole threatened to release sensitive photos unless paid $200, forcing an initial transaction via CashApp
- Following his sentence, Cole is now under the Department of Homeland Security for immigration proceedings
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A 21-year-old Ghanaian in the US, Cross Abu Cole, has been sentenced to time served of about seven months after being convicted of interstate communications with intent to extort
Cole has since been turned over to the Department of Homeland Security.
Source: Getty Images
According to court records, the extortion offence dates back to October 30, 2022.
Cole was said to have improperly accessed a Snapchat account belonging to an individual identified as the Victim and obtained sensitive photographs stored on the account.
Investigators said Cole subsequently contacted the Victim using a Google Voice telephone number and demanded a payment of $200.
Prosecutors said he threatened that if the money was not paid, he would damage the Victim’s reputation by releasing the graphic photographs to the victim’s family and friends.
An initial payment of $200 was made via CashApp as instructed, but the Victim later cancelled the transaction.
Despite this, the victim later discovered that some of his Snapchat contacts had already received the photographs.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation under the direction of the Special Agent in Charge, Philip Tejera.
US authorities have not disclosed further details about immigration proceedings, but confirmed that Cole has been handed over to the Department of Homeland Security following the completion of his custodial sentence.
Cole risks being deported given the Trump administration's crackdown on immigration, where foreigners with criminal records are being deported.
Source: YEN.com.gh
