Inside the Scam: How Nigerian Fraud Networks Operate — And How to Stay Safe

Cybercrime in Nigeria is not a fringe activity confined to dimly lit backrooms—it is a parallel economy, one built on ambition, desperation, ingenuity, and exploitation. On the streets of Nigeria, fraud is both condemned and normalized. It inspires fear abroad and, disturbingly, admiration at home.
In my research, I encountered young men who entered the world of fraud believing they had no other viable path. I met victims whose lives were emotionally and financially shattered. I interviewed investigators fighting a battle that feels endless. Each voice revealed a piece of a complex ecosystem—one that Nigeria must understand if it hopes to overcome.
This book does not excuse wrongdoing, nor does it seek to sensationalize it. Instead, it aims to illuminate the world of Nigerian cybercrime with clarity, humanity, and urgency. The more we understand its roots and workings, the closer we come to building a society where fraud is neither profitable nor celebrated.