Bucks County man arrested in sextortion investigation

BENSALEM, Pa. (WPVI) -- Police believe there could be dozens of victims in an alleged online sextortion scheme involving a Bensalem man, with at least 10 people coming forward so far.

Authorities say some of the alleged victims were trying to pay for college or support their families, and that the suspect targeted girls as young as 14.

Bodyworn camera video shows officers executing a search warrant at the Bensalem home of 25-year-old David Ajiri.

According to court documents, investigators seized two laptops, six cell phones and electronic storage data devices during the search.

Ajiri is charged with using online platforms to solicit explicit photos and videos from victims, offering to pay them and then threatening to blackmail them for more content. Detectives say the victims were never paid.

Police say the investigation began after a victim in Colorado came forward.

"Last fall, we were notified by Colorado authorities that they had a gentleman they were investigating for possible sextortion," said William McVey, public safety director for the Bensalem Police Department.

Detectives with the Arvada Police Department flew to Pennsylvania in November and searched the home with the help of Bensalem police. Based on the evidence collected, Ajiri was charged.

"There was records of - on one phone - almost a million files being uploaded to a website called MEGA, which is kind of like Dropbox, but it's used a lot more in the criminal realm," said Detective Brian Wonderly of the Arvada Police Department.

Ajiri turned himself in to authorities in Colorado on Monday.

According to court documents, one victim told police she was promised thousands of dollars for a list of sexual photos and videos. When she sent some of the items and asked about payment, he threatened to send the images to her friends, family and boyfriend.

"(The victim) was concerned that this would ruin her life and she reported considering suicide, but in order to prevent this, (she) stated she completed the list of requested items."

"We believe he's probably victimized many more people. Because that's typically what these people do until they're caught. And then they can find other victims out there. We want to make sure they're okay. We want to make sure there's no images of them out there, and if there are, that we retract them and protect them as much as we can," McVey said.

Ajiri's attorney, Andrew Ho, said his client is cooperating with the process.

"David has demonstrated his eagerness to confront these allegations against him by traveling to Colorado to initiate the court proceedings," Ho said.

Police say Ajiri used dozens of usernames and aliases online to communicate with victims. Accounts believed to be associated with Ajiri include the following:

Accounts Believed to be Associated with Ajiri
Instagram
brandoncress87 - crort786 - mikegreen876 - mikegbrandono - brandc428 - nbalifer23 - dmol678 - davidandrews2054 - cro6788 - oc65ks
Snapchat
kenslove3 - mikebrown867 - chris.morris98 - dajiri8535
Names Used by Ajiri while Messaging
Brandon Cress - Brandon Ali - David E - Cristian Ortiz - David Andrews - Dylan M - Damon A - Danny Rodriguez - Dave Jordan - Dave E - Christian Morris - Mike Green - Dylan Michaels - David Jaeger - Anthony - Anthony Matthews - Jay - Jay A - DJay - Mike Brandon - Dante - Brad Manning

Anyone who believes they may have been communicating with Ajiri is asked to contact the Arvada Police Department at 720-898-7171 and reference Case #AR25004692.