Nigeria's Initiative to Tackle Online Extortion Scams Intensifies

Monday, 26 August 2024, 04:00

Nigeria is actively pushing to combat online extortion scams, following Meta's removal of thousands of fraudulent accounts. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is collaborating with international law enforcement to capture Nigerian suspects involved in these crimes. The alarming rise of sextortion cases has drawn significant attention, prompting urgent measures to protect vulnerable youth online.
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Nigeria's Initiative to Tackle Online Extortion Scams Intensifies

Nigeria's Growing Concern Over Online Extortion

Nigeria is confronting a significant rise in online extortion scams, especially those classified under sextortion. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has publicly stated its willingness to partner with global law enforcement agencies to bring perpetrators to justice. Spokesperson Dele Oyewale emphasized that there will be no safe haven for those committing such crimes.

The Role of Social Media in Sextortion

This summer, Meta took down over 63,000 fake accounts, part of a coordinated effort to crack down on sextortion rings operating from Nigeria. These crimes often involve scammers posing as young women to manipulate their victims into sending explicit images and demanding money under threat. The FBI reported a disturbing increase in these incidents targeting minors, with more than 13,000 reports coming in the span of 18 months.

Collaboration Between Agencies

  • The EFCC is working hand-in-hand with U.S. law enforcement to address these scams.
  • Recent indictments revealed a scheme involving Nigerian brothers who exploited young men in Michigan.
  • The dangers of sextortion have prompted law enforcement to issue clear warnings to the public.

Alarming Statistics

  1. Victims are predominantly males aged 14-17.
  2. The FBI noted a 20% increase in sextortion reports recently compared to the prior year.
  3. At least 20 victims have tragically taken their own lives due to these extortion attempts.

The growing menace of online extortion, especially targeting youth, necessitates serious discussions on online safety. Urgent calls for open dialogues between parents and children are crucial to recognizing and addressing risks associated with these scams.


This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.


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