A 24-year-old Nigerian man, Hassanbunhussein Abolore Lawal, has been extradited to the United States and indicted on multiple charges, including child exploitation resulting in death, following an alleged sextortion scheme that led to the suicide of 17-year-old Gavin Guffey from Rock Hill, South Carolina.
Lawal is accused of impersonating a young woman online and coercing Guffey into sharing explicit images. He then allegedly threatened to release the photos unless Guffey sent him money. The harassment continued even after Guffey's death, targeting the grieving family members.
Brandon Guffey, Gavin's father and a South Carolina state representative, has been vocal about the dangers of online sextortion. He revealed that the initial contact occurred on Instagram, where Lawal allegedly convinced Gavin to use "vanish mode" before exchanging photos.
Following the photo exchange, Lawal demanded money, and despite Gavin sending a small sum, the demands escalated. Guffey tragically took his own life shortly after. Lawal then reportedly contacted Guffey's father and cousin on Instagram, continuing his extortion attempts.
The U.S. Attorney's Office emphasized its commitment to pursuing perpetrators who exploit children online, regardless of their location. The FBI also highlighted the extensive collaborative effort involved in the investigation and extradition. Lawal faces a potential life sentence if convicted, with a mandatory minimum of 30 years for child exploitation resulting in death, and may also be required to compensate the Guffey family for their losses.
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
