The Australian Federal Police (AFP) revealed its critical role in Operation Artemis—a global law enforcement effort that led to the arrest of 22 alleged Nigerian scammers behind a widespread and deadly sextortion campaign targeting teenagers worldwide, including victims in Australia.
Operation Artemis: A Global Alliance Against Child Exploitation
The investigation, known as Operation Artemis, was spearheaded by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and involved the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The AFP played a key role by deploying two investigators to Nigeria, where they worked on the ground to trace the digital footprint of the suspects.
These officers were instrumental in linking seized digital evidence to the perpetrators, identifying both victims and the cybercriminals, and helping coordinate efforts to dismantle the sextortion network. The Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE), a unit led by the AFP, also provided in-depth data analysis and investigative support throughout the operation.
Sextortion Network Tied to Global Teen Suicides
The cybercrime ring used manipulative tactics to coerce teenagers into sharing explicit images, which were then used to blackmail them through threats of online exposure. Investigators confirmed that two individuals arrested in the bust were directly linked to the 2023 suicide of a 16-year-old in New South Wales (NSW). More tragically, authorities in the U.S. have connected over 20 teen suicides since 2021 to the same sextortion campaign.
The sextortion scheme was vast in scale and brutal in execution. A total of 1,554 sextortion reports involving minors were submitted to ACCCE during the 2023–24 financial year alone. However, following the 2023 arrests, Australia has seen a notable and immediate decrease in reported cases, pointing to the direct impact of the international operation.
A Message to Online Child Exploiters: Nowhere to Hide
In a statement issued on 2 June, AFP Acting Commander Ben Moses, head of ACCCE, emphasized the significance of the collaborative effort: “This global operation sends a clear message to those who exploit children online. Law enforcement is united and determined to find you – no matter where you hide.”
Moses further stressed the psychological toll such crimes have on young victims, often driving them to the edge:
“These crimes are calculated and devastating, often pushing vulnerable young people into extreme distress. Thanks to the coordinated action of our partners, we achieved meaningful results, including an immediate and significant reduction in sextortion reports across Australia.”
The AFP has reiterated its commitment to combating online child exploitation and is urging parents, educators, and young people to remain vigilant. Authorities also advise reporting any suspicious or coercive online behavior immediately to law enforcement or via dedicated cybercrime reporting platforms.