A New York woman was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly catfishing and extorting the CEO of an unnamed public company, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced.
Prosecutors said Sakoya Blackwood, 34, threatened to release sexually explicit photographs and communications involving the CEO, referred to as “Victim-1” in court documents, and threatened multiple other victims.
Blackwood, who is from the Bronx in New York, is charged with making interstate communications with intent to extort, cyberstalking and extortion.
The charges each carry a maximum sentence of two, five and 20 years in prison, respectively, meaning Blackwood could face up to 27 total years in prison if convicted.
“No one should have to fear public humiliation and financial loss from the release of personal, private information,” U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said in a statement.
“As alleged, Sakoya Blackwood created that very fear and sought to capitalize on it for her own personal gain,” he added. “I commend the victim for reporting this alleged criminal activity and encourage anyone else who believes they may have been a victim of this scheme to contact the FBI.”
The DOJ said Blackwood used multiple online identities to target the CEO and other wealthy, high-profile men in the scheme.
Blackwood allegedly sent “numerous” intimidating and threatening text messages to the CEO, also using threats of economic and reputational harm from the photos’ release in attempts to receive payment.
“Most people hope for a personal human connection in life, and scam artists twist that desire into illicit schemes to steal more than hearts,” FBI Assistant Director Michael Driscoll said in a statement.
“We believe Blackwood used tactics we allege in this indictment to blackmail and extort money from other victims,” Driscoll continued. “We are asking those people to contact us so we can help them but also to ensure no one else ever falls victim to Blackwood’s alleged deception.”