It started with a DM.
Jordan DeMay, a 17 year old high school senior from Marquette, Michigan, was home packing for a family trip to Florida. He’d just bought sunscreen and finished his homework.
Around 10 p.m., a new Instagram message appeared from a girl named “Dani Robertts.” Her profile looked real, selfies, friends, comments from other accounts. They chatted for a couple of hours: flirty banter, casual questions, the kind of conversation that feels safe because it feels normal.
Then the tone shifted.
“Dani” asked for a photo, something private. Jordan hesitated but sent one.
Behind the screen were scammers in Lagos, Nigeria. They had already taken screenshots from his social media accounts, family photos, pictures with friends, his school, and turned them into a collage with the explicit image. They threatened to blast it to everyone he knew if he didn’t pay more.
“I can send this nudes to everyone and make it go viral,” the message read. “Pay me now or I won’t stop.”
They demanded $1,000. When Jordan said he didn’t have it, they bargained, $300 would do. He sent the money in small amounts, hoping it would end. It didn’t. They continued to demand more, each time threatening to release the photos.
By 3 a.m., just five hours after that first message, Jordan was trapped in panic and humiliation. Alone in his room while his family slept, he took his own life. He was found the next morning by his father.
Based on reporting from East Idaho News
Lessons Learned
While many online scams result in financial loss, some end in tragedy. Jordan’s story shows how devastating sextortion can be and why awareness is critical. It’s likely he didn’t even know this type of scam existed when he was targeted.
Sextortion moves fast. In Jordan’s case, five hours separated the first message from his death. The speed is the weapon. Scammers use panic and shame to trap victims before they can think clearly.
Educate yourself and your children. Online scams don’t only target elders. Jordan was a 17 year old who grew up with technology, used it daily, and still fell for this scam.
It starts with trust. These aren’t the typical spam messages. They begin like friendships, someone kind, flirty, understanding. Once you send a photo, the relationship becomes leverage.
Shame is the hook. Victims often say nothing out of embarrassment. That silence is what the scammers count on. If it happens, don’t delete the messages, call law enforcement immediately. The FBI and NCMEC (1-800-THE-LOST) can help stop the images from spreading.
Every kid with a phone is a target. Jordan was popular, responsible, and monitored by his parents. Predators don’t look for troubled kids, they look for accessible ones. Phones in bedrooms or late night DMs create the perfect opportunity.
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