U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced the arrest of Cross Abu Cole, a 21-year-old citizen of Ghana, on charges of interstate communications with intent to extort. The charge carries a potential penalty of up to two years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango, who is overseeing the case, explained that the complaint stems from an incident reported in October 2022. A victim informed the FBI about an extortion threat involving nude photographs taken when he was a minor. The victim received text messages demanding $200 be sent to a CashApp account named “$zettsa.” Failure to comply would result in the distribution of these images to his Snapchat contacts.
The victim initially transferred $200 but canceled it after consulting with his father. Despite this, he continued receiving threatening messages from the same phone number. His Yahoo account linked to Snapchat had been hacked previously, leading to some contacts receiving his nude photographs from another Snapchat account. Investigators traced the threatening phone number back to Cole.
Cole appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and was detained following his initial court appearance.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation under Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Mark Grimm’s direction.
It is important to note that being charged with a crime is merely an accusation; Cole remains presumed innocent until proven guilty.
