A Nigerian man has been sentenced to two years and three months in prison in the United Kingdom after admitting to hacking a woman’s social media accounts, using her images to create fake profiles, and blackmailing her.
Bosun Osagie, 25, was sentenced on October 12 after pleading guilty to computer hacking and blackmail, according to Merseyside Police. The court also imposed a 10-year restraining order prohibiting him from contacting the victim, a woman from Wirral, north-west England.
Police said they received a report in February 2023 that the woman’s Snapchat and X accounts, formerly known as Twitter, had been hacked. Her images were allegedly used to create fake social media accounts without her permission.
According to investigators, the fake accounts were used to advertise the woman for sexual services, while her images were sold online. Police said she was subsequently subjected to blackmail.
Following an investigation, officers identified Osagie, whose address was given as Hartslock Drive in Bexley, London. He was arrested and charged in connection with the offences.
The case highlights the harm that can follow when someone gains unauthorised access to another person’s online accounts and uses private images to impersonate, exploit or threaten them. In this case, the victim’s images were allegedly distributed and used to create fake profiles, while the blackmail added a further layer of abuse.
Detective Sergeant Darren Devonport of Merseyside Police said Osagie’s actions had caused the victim significant distress. He said the offender had invaded her privacy before attempting to force her to hand over money.
“The victim did the right thing and reported it to us,” Devonport said, according to the police statement.
He added that Merseyside Police was committed to tackling the possession and distribution of indecent images. He also expressed hope that Osagie would reflect on the consequences of his actions and the impact they had on the victim while serving his sentence.
The prison sentence and restraining order mark the outcome of a case involving account hacking, the misuse of personal images and blackmail. The order also places a long-term legal restriction on Osagie’s contact with the woman.
