A live briefing on the scams, fraud patterns, and online risks currently affecting everyday internet users across Nigeria and Africa.
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Callers posing as pension officers or bank staff ask retirees to read out a One-Time Password (OTP) sent via SMS to “fix” an urgent account issue, then drain the account within minutes.
What to doMessages on WhatsApp and social media promise remote or international jobs with attractive salaries, but ask candidates to pay a “registration,” “uniform,” or “processing” fee before onboarding.
What to doScammers use short audio clips (often lifted from social media) to clone a family member's voice, then call claiming to be in a medical or legal emergency and in urgent need of money.
What to doHappening now worldwide
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Callers posing as pension officers or bank staff ask retirees to read out a One-Time Password (OTP) sent via SMS to “fix” an urgent account issue, then drain the account within minutes.
Retirees and pension account holders are the primary target, though the same script is now used against ordinary bank customers.
Hang up immediately. Banks and pension administrators never ask for your OTP over the phone. Call the official number printed on your card or visit a branch in person.
Messages on WhatsApp and social media promise remote or international jobs with attractive salaries, but ask candidates to pay a “registration,” “uniform,” or “processing” fee before onboarding.
Job seekers, students, and recent graduates actively searching for remote or international work opportunities.
Legitimate employers never charge candidates to apply or onboard. Verify the company independently before sending any payment or personal documents.
Scammers use short audio clips (often lifted from social media) to clone a family member's voice, then call claiming to be in a medical or legal emergency and in urgent need of money.
Parents and grandparents of people who are active on social media, where voice clips of them are publicly available.
Hang up and call that person back directly on a number you already have saved. Agree on a family “verbal password” in advance for genuine emergencies.
An attacker triggers a WhatsApp verification code to your number, then messages you pretending to be a friend who “accidentally” sent it to you, asking you to forward it. Doing so hands over control of your account.
Anyone with an active WhatsApp account, especially people whose number is publicly listed or widely shared.
Never share a verification code with anyone, even someone claiming to be a friend. Enable two-step verification in WhatsApp's security settings.
Emails and texts styled to look like your bank warn that your account will be suspended unless you “verify” your details through a link, which leads to a fake login page designed to steal your credentials.
Anyone with online banking or digital wallet accounts; small business owners handling multiple accounts are frequently targeted.
Never click links in unexpected account-warning messages. Type your bank's official website address directly into your browser instead.
Social media ads and WhatsApp broadcasts promote investment platforms promising guaranteed daily returns. Early withdrawals are paid to build trust, then larger deposits vanish once the platform disappears.
Young professionals and small investors looking for quick returns, often recruited through friends already in the scheme.
Be skeptical of any investment guaranteeing fixed high returns. Verify registration with the relevant financial regulator before depositing any funds.
Callers claim to be from a tax authority or regulatory body, alleging an unpaid fine or compliance issue that must be resolved immediately via a direct bank transfer to avoid “legal action.”
Small business owners and self-employed professionals who may be less familiar with formal tax processes.
Government agencies communicate compliance issues through official written notices, not urgent phone calls demanding immediate payment. Verify independently before paying anything.
Fake social media accounts are created using a student's photos to harass, embarrass, or extort them or their classmates, often escalating from group chats into wider platforms.
Secondary school and university students are most affected, though the same tactic is used against young professionals.
Report and block impersonation accounts on the platform directly, preserve screenshots as evidence, and involve a trusted adult or the school's counselling office early.
Viral posts asking users to share “your first pet, your school, your mother's maiden name” as a fun personality quiz are often used to harvest common bank security-question answers.
Frequent social media users, particularly those who enjoy participating in viral chain posts and quizzes.
Avoid publicly answering questions that resemble common bank security questions, even in a lighthearted context. Review your own security question answers periodically.
No threats match your search. Try a different word, or report a new scam.
Help us keep this page current. Report a scam pattern you've encountered and our team will review it for the next update.
