An American woman has shared her emotional journey after falling victim to two Nigerian internet fraudsters, locally referred to as “Yahoo boys.” Despite the financial and emotional setbacks, the woman—who is in her 50s—remains deeply fond of Nigerian men, calling them the “sexiest and most handsome” globally.
In a video that went viral on Sunday, she recounted her encounters with the scammers. Her first experience occurred in 2020 when she connected with one of them on TikTok. She revealed how the scammer’s slip-up—using a Nigerian phone number—led her to uncover his real identity and his plans to marry his Nigerian girlfriend.
“Back in 2020, I met this man. I was with him for ten months, but I grew tired of his constant demands for money,” she explained. “One day, he accidentally called me from a Nigerian phone number and tried to cover it up. When I ended things, he admitted everything. He’s now getting married, and I wish him well.”
Her second encounter involved a younger scammer, who posed as someone else to elicit funds. However, she later discovered that his motive was to pay for his sick mother’s medical bills.
“This one was different,” she said. “He was polite and eventually told me the truth after a year. He thanked me for saving his mother’s life. That doesn’t hurt as much because I know the money was used for good.”
Despite these experiences, she expressed her enduring admiration for Nigerians while cautioning others to be vigilant.
“They destroyed me financially, but I still have love for Nigerians. The men are the most handsome in the world,” she said, adding, “I hope no one goes through what I did. Be safe, because while people in Nigeria struggle, many American women are also struggling.”
EFCC’s Efforts Against Internet Fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has intensified its crackdown on internet fraud across Nigeria. In May 2023, EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede announced that the agency secured 3,175 convictions and recovered over ₦156 billion within a year.
Speaking at the launch of the Zero Tolerance Club at the University of Abuja, he voiced concerns over the rising involvement of young people in cybercrime, noting that hundreds are arrested monthly.
“Despite these achievements, the growing participation of students in ‘Yahoo Yahoo’ remains a serious concern for all stakeholders,” he stated.
The EFCC’s recoveries include over $43 million, £25,000, €186,000, and several cryptocurrencies, reflecting the global scale of their operations. The Commission pledged continued efforts to curb cybercrime and protect victims worldwide.
