Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan, Andrew Birge, announced that Dinsimore Guyton Robinson, 29, from Huntsville, Alabama, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering. This development follows allegations that Robinson laundered money for Nigerian sextortionists. The sentencing is scheduled for April 24, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Robert J. Jonker.
The indictment claims the group involved used online payment systems like Apple Pay, Cash App, and Zelle to collect proceeds from sextortion activities and transfer them to Nigeria. It alleges that victims were coerced into creating nude images which were then used to extort funds sent through these platforms. The launderers reportedly retained about 20 percent of the funds before converting the remainder into bitcoin and sending it back to Nigeria.
Robinson's case is linked to the laundering of funds belonging to Jordan DeMay. In November 2022, three Nigerian nationals were charged in connection with a sextortion scheme leading to DeMay's death and targeting over 100 other victims. Two defendants in this case were extradited to the United States in August 2023 and pled guilty in April 2024.
Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan stated: "Dinsimore Robinson's guilty plea to conspiracy to commit money laundering in connection with a sextortion scheme underscores the alarming lengths to which criminals will go, preying on the most vulnerable members of our society." He further highlighted that Robinson's activities were disrupted through collaboration between FBI offices across Michigan, Atlanta, Birmingham and their partners including Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The FBI has provided several tips for individuals on how they can protect themselves from such schemes:
- Be selective about what you share online.
- Be cautious when interacting with strangers online.
- Understand that people can misrepresent themselves on digital platforms.
- Be wary if someone you meet online asks you to switch communication platforms.
- Remember that any content shared online can become public.
- Seek help if you receive suspicious messages or requests.
Victims or those who suspect they are being targeted by sextortion schemes are encouraged to contact their local FBI field office or report incidents via http://tips.fbi.gov.
This investigation was conducted by both the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission with Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Mekaru representing the government at the hearing.
Charges within an indictment remain accusations until proven otherwise in court proceedings where defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.