A global sextortion ring led by scammers in West Africa drove a 17-year-old California student to suicide, prompting international arrests and spotlighting a chilling cybercrime epidemic targeting minors.
At a Glance
- Four men in Ivory Coast arrested for a sextortion ring linked to teen suicides
- Ryan Last, 17, took his own life after being extorted online
- A U.S.-based accomplice received an 18-month prison sentence
- The FBI, Meta, and local law enforcement collaborated on the case
- Sextortion involving minors has led to at least 20 known suicides
The Crime and its Impact
In March 2022, Ryan Last—a standout student from San Jose with dreams of agricultural innovation—was found dead by suicide just hours after sending $150 in a desperate attempt to stop cybercriminals from leaking explicit images. The scam began with social media messages from an account pretending to be a teenage girl, luring him into sharing photos and then blackmailing him. As ABC News reported, the pressure and threats overwhelmed Ryan, who felt trapped and humiliated.
The scheme that claimed his life was orchestrated thousands of miles away in Ivory Coast by a group that federal officials say targeted thousands globally. Ryan’s story represents just one devastating outcome of what experts now call a digital epidemic.
Watch a report: FBI cracks sextortion ring after teen suicide.
Legal and Global Efforts
Law enforcement agencies on two continents coordinated a crackdown that resulted in the arrests of four men in West Africa. Among them was Alfred Kassi, who faces prosecution under Ivorian cybercrime laws, since no extradition agreement exists with the U.S. Meanwhile, his U.S.-based associate, Jonathan Kassi, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for his role in the scheme. According to the Los Angeles Times, he still had the original messages he sent to Ryan Last saved on his phone.
“This arrest brings awareness and hopefully scares the scammers,” said Ryan’s mother, Pauline Stuart. “They kind of feel safe over in a foreign country. They don’t think they can be touched.”
Reflections and Prevention
The FBI reports more than 13,000 sextortion cases involving minors from October 2021 through March 2023. At least 20 of these cases ended in suicide. Experts warn that many more incidents go unreported, particularly among boys, who face stigma and shame when exploited online.
Pauline Stuart, now a vocal advocate, reminds families that “no mistake that we make is worth taking our lives.” As The Epoch Times notes, federal agencies continue urging victims to report sextortion and preserve all messages as evidence.
Crisis services like the national 988 hotline and Crisis Text Line remain crucial resources. Ryan Last’s tragic death has become a rallying cry—not only for tougher international enforcement but also for stronger education, earlier intervention, and a cultural shift that ends the silence around sextortion.
