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    • Online Scams & Fraud in Nigeria

    Global Scam Country Guide
    April 2, 2023

    Though Nigeria has been known for its infamous scammers, its citizens continue to suffer at the hands of the scammers. Both the government and other organizations have been stepping up efforts to raise awareness and protect people from scams.

    Read on to find out more about what to do when you get scammed in Nigeria, where you can report and where to get the support you need. 

    Scam Statistics in Nigeria

    The key statistics on online fraud in Nigeria, according to the Global Anti Scam Alliance. 

      2018 2019 2020 2021
     Population 198.4 million 200.9million 206 Million  211  million
    Internet Penetration 38% 63% 61% 73%
    # of Scams    37,817 61,500 500,000
    Scams / 1,000   0.2 0.3 2.37
    Money Lost   €86 million €10.7 million € 161 million
    Money Lost / Capita   € 0.43 € 0.05 € 0,76
    Money Lost / Report   € 2,264 € 175 € 322

    The figures in the table will differ strongly per year as various sources have been used, pending on availability.

    Download the Global State of Scam

    Where Can I Report a Scam in Nigeria?

    There are everal places you can report a scam in Nigeria. Here are some of them;

    Report a Scam

    How to Report a Scam in Nigeria

    Reporting a scam is crucial. At the moment, only 7% of all scams are reported. As a result, only 0.05% of all cybercriminals are caught. Reporting online fraud is not only essential if you want to try and get your money back. It is also needed to help law enforcement fight scammers better.

    • Gather info: Collect all information about the suspected fraud including the name, telephone, key web pages, emails, IP address, and any other relevant information. This is needed to file a complete report.
    • Report the incident: Always report to your local law enforcement and note the file number they might provide for your fraud report for future reference.
    • Stop the Money: Report the incident to the financial institution that transferred the money such as your bank, Paypal, credit card company, or the Internet payment service provider.
    • Protect yourself: Scammers often contact you again. Sometimes with the same scam. Sometimes to help you “recover your money”. Consider changing your email address/phone number. Also, install the ScamAdviser browser extension to warn you of scams.

    Our article “How and Where to Report a Scam” gives you more detail and tips on how you can best report online fraud.

    Scam Victim Support in Nigeria

    We are unaware of a fraud victim support organization in Nigeria. Please do your due diligence when searching for victims' support.

    How to Check for a Scam in Nigeria

    Of course, you can always check for scams on ScamAdviser.com. However, there are several other sources where you can check if a website is registered as a company and if it can offer financial, gambling, or other regulated services as well. Here are other ways you can check for scams in Nigeria;

    Anti-Scam Organizations & Consumer Authorities

    Several organizations are determined to help raise awareness about scams in Nigeria. Here are some of them;

    Popular Scams in Nigeria

    Immigration Scams

    Nigeria has recently faced a number of difficulties, including insecurity, the economic downturn, and unemployment, among others. Due to these difficulties, more people are leaving their home countries in search of better opportunities overseas, especially in Europe and North America. Tragically, this has also resulted in a sharp rise in immigration frauds that prey on needy Nigerians looking to flee the country.

    Although there are various types of immigration fraud, the most prevalent one is the assurance of simple visas and employment possibilities abroad. On websites, in emails, and on social media, these scams are frequently promoted. Scammers typically demand an upfront payment or a processing fee in exchange for a promise to find the victim a job and a visa.

    The use of phony travel agencies is another type of immigration fraud. These organizations promise to help with the processing of visas and other travel needs while offering travel packages and excursion services to foreign nations. However, fraudulent visas, stolen identities, or unauthorized travel documents are frequently obtained by victims, with serious repercussions.

    Conducting careful research and getting guidance from reliable sources is essential if you want to avoid being a victim of immigration scams. Utilizing the services of authorized immigration agents or travel companies with a track record of processing visa applications and making travel arrangements successfully is also advised.

    Scam News From Nigeria

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    Report a Scam!

    Have you fallen for a hoax, bought a fake product? Report the site and warn others!

    Report a Scam!

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    How to Recognize a Scam Website

    As the influence of the internet rises, so does the prevalence of online scams. There are fraudsters making all kinds of claims to trap victims online - from fake investment opportunities to online stores - and the internet allows them to operate from any part of the world with anonymity. The ability to spot online scams is an important skill to have as the virtual world is increasingly becoming a part of every facet of our lives. The below tips will help you identify the signs which can indicate that a website could be a scam. Common Sense: Too Good To Be True When looking for goods online, a great deal can be very enticing. A Gucci bag or a new iPhone for half the price? Who wouldn’t want to grab such a deal? Scammers know this too and try to take advantage of the fact. If an online deal looks too good to be true, think twice and double-check things. The easiest way to do this is to simply check out the same product at competing websites (that you trust). If the difference in prices is huge, it might be better to double-check the rest of the website. Check Out the Social Media Links Social media is a core part of ecommerce businesses these days and consumers often expect online shops to have a social media presence. Scammers know this and often insert logos of social media sites on their websites. Scratching beneath the surface often reveals this fu

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    How Do I Get Money Back From a Scammer?

    So the worst has come to pass - you realise you parted with your money too fast, and the site you used was a scam - what now? Well first of all, don’t despair!! If you think you have been scammed, the first port of call when having an issue is to simply ask for a refund. This is the first and easiest step to determine whether you are dealing with a genuine company or scammers. Sadly, getting your money back from a scammer is not as simple as just asking.  If you are indeed dealing with scammers, the procedure (and chance) of getting your money back varies depending on the payment method you used. PayPal Debit card/Credit card Bank transfer Wire transfer Google Pay Bitcoin PayPal If you used PayPal, you have a strong chance of getting your money back if you were scammed. On their website, you can file a dispute within 180 calendar days of your purchase. Conditions to file a dispute: The simplest situation is that you ordered from an online store and it has not arrived. In this case this is what PayPal states: "If your order never shows up and the seller can't provide proof of shipment or delivery, you'll get a full refund. It's that simple." The scammer has sent you a completely different item. For example, you ordered a PlayStation 4, but instead received only a Playstation controller.  The condition of the item was misrepresented on the product page. This could be the

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