A 21-year-old Ghanaian national, Cross Abu Cole, has been sentenced to about seven months in jail in the United States of America.

Cole was sentenced by US District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo after he was earlier convicted on charges of extortion.

In a statement issued by the US Attorney’s Office on December 22, 2025, it was disclosed that Abu Cole improperly accessed a Snapchat account belonging to an individual identified as the victim and obtained nude photographs stored on the account in October 2022.

Investigators said Cole later contacted the victim using a Google Voice number and demanded $200. Prosecutors said he threatened to release the victim’s nude photos to family and friends if the money was not paid.

“Cole improperly accessed an individual’s (Victim) Snapchat account and obtained nude photographs that the Victim had stored in his Snapchat account. Cole sent a text message to the Victim, utilizing a Google Voice telephone number, demanding payment of $200.

21-year-old Ghanaian arrested by US authorities for extortion

“If payment was not made, Cole threatened to damage the reputation of the Victim by releasing the nude photographs to family and friends of the Victim,” the US Attorney's office stated.

“An initial payment of $200 via CashApp was made by the Victim as instructed, but he later cancelled the payment. Subsequently, the Victim learned that some of his Snapchat contacts had received the nude photographs,” Assistant US Attorney Aaron J. Mango explained.

Police investigations tracked and traced the mobile phone number used to send the threatening messages to the victim, ultimately leading to Cole’s arrest.

Following his arrest, Abu Cole was detained after appearing before US Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer on June 10, 2025.

The statement also noted that the victim’s complaint resulted in an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation under the direction of the Special Agent in Charge, Philip Tejera.

MAG/MA

Meanwhile watch highlights of Black Sherif's performance at Zaama Disco 2025