Nigerian Man Extradited to U.S.: The Tragic Sextortion Case Leading to Teen’s Suicide

Exploring the Sextortion Scheme: From Nigeria to U.S. Extradition

A Nigerian man, Hassanbunhussein Abolore Lawal, has been extradited to the United States to face charges related to a sextortion scheme that tragically led to the suicide of 17-year-old Gavin Guffey, the son of South Carolina State Representative Brandon Guffey.

Lawal is accused of posing as a woman online, coercing the teenager into sending explicit photos, and subsequently blackmailing him with threats of exposing the images unless he paid money.

Overwhelmed by the pressure and threats, Gavin took his own life in July 2022. His death inspired his father to champion “Gavin’s Law,” legislation in South Carolina that classifies sextortion as a felony with stricter penalties, particularly when minors are involved.

Lawal’s extradition highlights the U.S. authorities’ commitment to holding international cybercriminals accountable. The case is part of a growing pattern of sextortion crimes originating from West Africa. Law enforcement agencies have noted a significant rise in these cases, particularly targeting vulnerable young individuals.