An unnamed American woman has shared her experience of being scammed by two Nigerian internet fraudsters, commonly referred to as “Yahoo boys.”
Despite the financial and emotional toll, she continues to express admiration for Nigerian men, calling them “the sexiest and most handsome men on the planet.”
In a viral video posted on Sunday, the woman, who appears to be in her early 50s, recounted how she first encountered one of the scammers on TikTok in 2020. She revealed how the man, who used a fake identity, ultimately exposed himself after mistakenly calling her from a Nigerian phone number.
“Back in 2020, I met this man. I was with him for ten months, but I grew tired of him because he was always asking for money. One day, he accidentally called me with a Nigerian number and tried to claim it was his friend’s. That’s when I began to suspect him,” she said.
When their relationship ended, the scammer confessed his true identity and disclosed that he was planning to marry his Nigerian girlfriend. “I congratulated him and wished them a happy life together,” she added.
The woman also described a second experience with another Nigerian fraudster who pretended to be someone else. However, this scammer later admitted to using her money to save his sick mother.
“This second one was different. He was polite and cared about my feelings. After a year, he confessed he was a young Nigerian boy trying to put himself through school, and my money helped save his mother’s life. That doesn’t hurt as much because at least the money went to something good,” she explained.
Reflecting on her ordeal, she lamented the financial losses caused by the first scammer, who she accused of spending the money on frivolities, including “Nigerian hook-up girls.” Despite the setbacks, she expressed her continued affection for Nigerian men and urged caution for others.
“They destroyed me financially, but I still love Nigerian people. The men are the sexiest and most handsome on this planet. I pray nothing like this happens to me again. It’s hard for women everywhere, including in America, where many are also struggling without partners,” she said.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Nigeria continues to tackle internet fraud across the country. In May 2023, EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede reported that the commission secured 3,175 convictions and recovered over ₦156 billion between May 2023 and May 2024. The agency also recovered significant amounts in foreign currencies and cryptocurrency.
Despite these efforts, the EFCC remains concerned about the growing involvement of youths in cybercrime. “Hundreds of suspects are arrested monthly, with many of them ending up in jail,” Olukoyede stated during a recent event in Abuja.
The woman’s story serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting both the devastating impact of internet fraud and the resilience of victims in the face of betrayal.
