Man from Ghana charged after alleged blackmail of Buffalo victim
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BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- A man from Ghana faces an extortion charge after he allegedly used nude photographs of a victim in Buffalo to blackmail him, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Cross Abu Cole, 21, possessed nude photographs of the Buffalo male when he was a minor, according to a complaint made by the victim in October 2022. Cole then allegedly demanded $200 be sent to him otherwise he would send the photos to people the victim knew on Snapchat.
The man also possessed a nude photo of the victim's friend, officials said.
Numerous threats for money were made and nude photographs were sent out. An investigation traced the telephone number threats to Cole.
He was taken into custody in Texas and was charged by criminal complaint with interstate communications with intent to extort. Cole faces a maximum penalty of two years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Kayleigh Hunter-Gasperini joined the News 4 team in 2024 as a Digital Video Producer. She is a graduate of Chatham University.