Delaware man pleads guilty to participating in a global sextortion and money laundering scheme involving victims’ funds across multiple countries

A 33-year-old man from Wilmington, Delaware, Mohamed Diarra, has pleaded guilty in connection with his role in a global sextortion and money laundering operation that lasted from May 2020 to December 2022.

Involvement in a Fraudulent Scheme

Diarra was involved in a financially motivated sextortion scheme where perpetrators fraudulently obtained explicit sexual photos or videos from victims.

The victims were then threatened with the public release of their material unless they paid a sum of money to stop it from being distributed.

Diarra worked alongside co-conspirators based in Côte d’Ivoire to help facilitate this illegal operation, using a network of individuals in Delaware to act as “money mules.”

These money mules, including Diarra, would receive the victims’ funds into their financial accounts and transfer them for laundering purposes.

The Role of Money Mules in the Scheme

Diarra’s role in the conspiracy was to collect the illicit funds into accounts he controlled, including peer-to-peer payment services and other financial accounts under false names.

He also recruited others to join the network and assist in transferring funds at his direction.

Funds were then either converted into cash or goods and transferred internationally to co-conspirators in Côte d’Ivoire and beyond.

Facing Serious Charges

Diarra has pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to engage in money laundering, and he faces a possible prison sentence of up to 20 years.

The court will schedule a sentencing hearing where a judge will determine his penalty based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other legal factors.

A Collaborative Investigation

This case was a joint effort, with the FBI leading the investigation and support from the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and Côte d’Ivoire’s government.

Prosecutors from both the U.S. Criminal Division and the District of Delaware are handling the case.

What to Do If You Are a Victim

The FBI urges anyone who believes they or someone they know is being exploited through sextortion to contact the FBI’s field offices or report it online.

Resources are available to help victims understand their rights and how to report these crimes.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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