Nigeria: Prophet urges youths to abandon internet fraud

Discussions regarding internet fraud and the lifestyle of ‘Yahoo boys’ in Nigeria have gained traction on social media following comments from a religious leader and personal testimonies from former practitioners.

A Nigerian prophet recently condemned cybercrime, urging young people to abandon criminal activities in favor of learning legitimate trades such as mechanics or barbering. The cleric also stated he would not defend young women who choose to date individuals involved in internet fraud.

In a related personal account, a former internet fraudster shared his experiences on X, describing the emotional toll of the lifestyle. He recounted starting fraud in 2020 and struggling to make significant money, which led to depression and loneliness as he watched peers achieve apparent wealth. He noted that his attempts to use spiritual practices to improve his success yielded minimal results before he eventually moved away from the activity.