Nigerian internet fraud and sextortion investigations

Investigations into Nigerian internet fraud, specifically involving groups known as ‘Yahoo boys’, have highlighted the diverse methods and severe consequences of these transnational scams.

One investigation by former US prosecutor Erin West focused on sextortion schemes targeting American teenagers. West reported obtaining data linking these scammers to at least 60 teen suicides in the United States. Although evidence was provided to Nigerian authorities, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, no arrests had been reported at the time of her findings.

Complementary research by author Carlos Barragán explores the broader phenomenon of romance scams in Lagos. His work, including his upcoming book ‘Hi Honey’, investigates the connection between loneliness in Western nations and professionalized scam operations. Barragán’s research was prompted by his mother being targeted by a scammer posing as an American soldier in Syria.

His work details how scammers use false identities, such as celebrities or soldiers, to defraud individuals in Europe and the United States via social media and dating apps. Rather than focusing solely on criminal activity, Barragán examines the psychological dynamics of how these digital relationships are constructed and why they successfully exploit victims. These accounts note that while the activity serves as a reputational stain on Nigeria, it also functions as a localized economic engine in certain neighborhoods.